by Editorial board – March 18, 2013 – Those who Pharmacy Magazine
MANDELLI (FOFI): "THE 50% OF THE POINTS OF SALE IS EXPERIENCING A SUFFERING SITUATION AND WITH THE DROP IN PROFITS, EVEN LAYOUTS START TO OCCUR" MANY ARE TRYING TO OPEN A PARHARMACY, A GROWING SECTOR
Milan Too many graduates for too few pharmacies. Moreover, put to the test by the drop in turnover, caused by the ever lower prices of medicines and by consumption in free fall (including health care). The result is that more and more doctors are aiming for other avenues, such as opening parapharmacies. "Margins have fallen a lot," explains Annarosa Racca, president of Federfarma. "Firstly, for the reduction in the prices of medicines which have registered a -26% in the last five years". Also due to a greater diffusion of the generic range. "But the recent government maneuvers have also weakened the sector and lastly the direct distribution of drugs by public structures has intervened", continues Racca. In addition to the crisis phase that has led users to save on health products deemed unnecessary. The issue of unemployment has therefore also entered into a sector historically considered privileged. "It is true that with the liberalisations, 5,000 new structures will open, but it is also true that the first closures are starting to occur", adds the president of Federfarma. For example, the news of the bankruptcy of four pharmacies in the Neapolitan area and one in Udine is recent. The hope is to have greater certainties from the next government: "To hire you need to have a minimum of certainties and therefore also sure answers," specifies Racca. The association has been pressing for some time, in particular, for the transition to a new remuneration, based on a fixed fee for each package of drug and a reduced percentage on the price. Another central theme is "the renewal of the agreement between the state and pharmacies that we have been waiting for for several years". Echoing Racca is Andrea Mandelli, president of Fofi (Federation of Italian pharmacists' orders). «The 50% of pharmacies is now experiencing a situation of suffering and with the drop in profits it is inevitable that layoffs will also begin to occur. The employment emergency has been a fact for at least two years now». Confirmation comes from the data released by the Lombardy Federation of Orders relating to the number of applications published on their job search and job offer site: in May 2012,
