Public Pharmacies in Croatia Face Closure Over Procurement Rules

Public pharmacies in Croatia are at risk of closing down, a situation that could severely disrupt the supply of essential medications to residents in rural areas and on islands. The Croatian Chamber of Pharmacists and the Association of Employers in Healthcare are collaborating with the Ministry of Health to devise a legal model that addresses the challenges posed by mandatory public procurement procedures.

If forced to procure medicines through public tenders, many county pharmacies could be compelled to shut their doors. This would leave numerous communities in island regions, rural areas, and smaller towns without access to pharmacies, as private pharmacies often find it unprofitable to operate in these locations. Public pharmacies currently account for approximately 28% of the total 1,204 pharmacies in Croatia.

The public procurement process is lengthy and includes appeal periods, meaning that medications needed urgently by patients could face delays of several months. Both public and private pharmacies in Croatia typically source medicines through expedited procedures, ensuring that a patient can receive a needed drug either the same afternoon or the next day. However, county pharmacies, being founded by local self-government units, fall under the Public Procurement Act, which incorporates an EU directive mandating public procurement for all institutions and legal entities linked to state or local government ownership.

State audit bodies are increasingly scrutinizing these pharmacies, initially through recommendations and now through mandatory compliance. The proposed legal solution aims to prevent a crisis in the pharmacy network and ensure the continued availability of medicines for the population in underserved areas.