Enabling 24/7 automated pharmacies

Current regulations, dictating pharmacy hours and mandating pharmacist presence during sales, are hindering progress in the pharmaceutical sector. Urgent legislative changes are imperative to foster an environment conducive to innovation and progress.

Health concerns don’t adhere to convenience. They strike unexpectedly, often leaving individuals in urgent need, especially when it comes to access to essential medications.  Currently, 24/7 pharmacies operate only in Tallinn and Tartu, leaving people with no alternatives but to call an ambulance or visit the ER, when health issues arise. Statistics show that from 2018 to 2023, 36% of ambulance calls occurred between 9:00 PM and 9:00 AM. Meanwhile, only 40% of ER visits require urgent care. Many of these health concerns could be addressed initially at a pharmacy, but that would require pharmacy services to be more accessible on the off-hours. 

The scarcity of pharmacists, especially in rural areas, is a growing concern not just in Estonia but across Europe. This shortage directly impacts pharmacy hours, particularly on weekends, leading people to seek medication through ER and ambulance service. 

Estonia aims to lead the way in innovative resource management, leveraging technology to streamline the distribution of medical resources efficiently. The Increased reliance on emergency services solely for obtaining medication stems from outdated regulations, causing a mismanagement of resources.

In pursuit of this vision, Accelerate Estonia is partnering with Grab2Go, a self-service pharmacy solution company. This innovative approach aims to provide an automated means to purchase over-the-counter medications while offering access to professional pharmacist advice through video consultations.

Their solution optimizes resources by enabling a single pharmacist to assist patients from any corner of Estonia through video consultations, breaking geographical barriers. It also grants pharmacists more time for face-to-face consultations, allowing them to apply their expertise effectively.

Accelerate Estonia and PwC conducted an impact analysis to assess the economic and societal effects of introducing self-service pharmacies to the market, as well as how this new solution fits into the existing landscape of pharmaceutical services. A summary of the impact analysis is available here in English, and the full report in Estonian can be accessed here.

The analysis revealed that over the next decade, a growing shortage of pharmacists and pharmaceutical technicians is expected — a challenge that the self-service pharmacy model could help address. Currently, the average age of a specialists is high: 53% of pharmacists and 43% of pharmaceutical technicians are over 50 years old, suggesting that a large number will retire within the coming years.

Self-service pharmacies also have the potential to significantly reduce the burden on ambulance and ER services, as many nighttime visitors could find relief  with simpler solutions from pharmacies. Depending on the scale of implementation, the introduction of self-service pharmacies could save the emergency medical sector between €2.3 – €6.4 million over five years.

Additionally, the use of self-service pharmacies could expand the network of 24/7 pharmacies. The solution enables more efficient allocation of pharmacist resources across Estonia, improving regional and 24/7 access to medications throughout the country.

The goal of this project is to pave the way for the market entry of an innovative product that enables the implementation of the self-service pharmacy solution. Through self-service pharmacies, the network of 24/7 pharmacies can be expanded, improving both regional and 24/7 accessibility of medications, which helps reduce the burden on ambulance and emergency room resources. Additional this project creates new export opportunities for Estonian technology companies within the healthcare sector.

The project has now reached its final phase. The Ministry of Social Affairs, in cooperation with Accelerate Estonia, is introducing amendments to the Medicinal Products Act to allow the self-service pharmacy solution to enter the market.