Pharmacy transfer: learn about the new rules!

THEDecree-Law No. 128/2023brought with it significant changes in the legal regimes for medicines for human use and workshop pharmacies. These changes aim not only to regulate practices in the pharmaceutical sector, but also to promote better access to medicines and health services for the Portuguese population.

New rules on medicines

One of the main changes introduced by this decree-law concerns the information made available to users about the price of medicines. Previously, the retail price of medicines was necessarily included on their packaging, which could lead to some confusion, especially considering that this price did not necessarily reflect the final cost to the user, due to contributions and other variables.

With the new rules, pharmacies will now make this information available directly to the user through the invoice or invoice/receipt issued at the time of dispensing the medicine. This invoice must include not only the sales price to the public, but also the reference price, the percentage of State contribution, the cost borne by the State and the cost borne by the user.

The decree-law also provides for the public availability of information on the price of medicines through accessible media, such as the website of theINFARMED, I. P., and other digital tools.

These measures aim to increase transparency and facilitate users' access to information on medicine prices, allowing them to make informed decisions regarding their treatments.

Pharmacy transfer: everything you need to know!

The decree-law also introduced changes to the pharmacy transfer process, establishing new criteria and procedures for this type of operation. Now, pharmacies can transfer their location within the same municipality, as long as certain assumptions are met, such as:

Existence of Nearby Pharmacy in Current Location:

There must be a pharmacy or mobile pharmaceutical station less than 1000 meters from the current location of the pharmacy to be transferred.

Minimum Distance Between Pharmacies in the New Location:

A minimum distance of 500 meters must be respected between pharmacies in the new location.

Favorable Opinion of the City Council:

It is necessary to obtain a favorable opinion from the competent Municipal Council regarding the transfer of the pharmacy. This opinion takes into account the importance of population accessibility to medicines and their convenience, as well as the improvement or increase in pharmaceutical services to promote the health and well-being of users.

Pharmacy Operating Conditions:

The operating conditions of thepharmacies, ensuring that the transfer does not compromise the quality of the services provided.

With these changes, it is expected that users will benefit from better monitoring of their treatments and greater adaptation of pharmaceutical services to their needs.