A comparative study on the types and prices of drugs in outpatient pharmacies and retail pharmacies / 中华医院管理杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To understand the types and prices of drugs in outpatient pharmacies and retail pharmacies, study their differences and provide corresponding suggestions on policies. Methods The types and prices of drugs in 7 pharmacies and 8 hospital outpatient pharmacies in 4 provinces were studied and compared. Results Significant differences were found in the types and prices of drugs in these outpatient pharmacies and retail pharmacies. Retail pharmacies might fail to fill 60% of the physician prescriptions. The quality and price control of drugs in outpatient pharmacies was different from that in retail pharmacies. The types and prices of drugs in outpatient pharmacies were different from those in retail pharmacies. Many drugs independently-priced were extremely high. Pharmaceutical departments of hospitals had abundant senior and qualified pharmaceutical personnel whose pharmaceutical expertise was far superior to that of retail pharmacies. Conclusion There was a significant difference between outpatient pharmacies and retail pharmacies. Under the circumstances, it is not yet feasible to release policies and regulations that would separate pharmacies from hospitals or encourage outpatients to fill their prescriptions in retail pharmacies. Medical institutions should further standardize their purchases of drugs as well as prescriptions by physicians.