Current and Future Trends in the Pharmacy Industry in Austria

Professional or occupational regulations are a
common part of many European work environments.
Regulations include for example: minimum competence
standards, entry barriers and minimum wages. One
area which has been extensively protected by
regulations, is the pharmacy industry in Europe. In
recent years, there has been an increasing number of
reports, where this high protection of pharmacies is
challenged and it is argued that the regulations are
anti-competitive and have no beneficial effects for
other parties than the pharmacy owners. In June
2006, the EC sent a letter to Austria, where they
challenged the number of current regulations
concerning pharmacies and the protection they have
in these countries.
This book looks at current regulations in Austria
and the most likely changes to happen within the
next 5 years. Market analysis of both pharmacies
and pharmaceutical wholesale in the Austrian market
are conducted, including comparison to other major
markets in Europe. Finally, possible outcomes for
the Austrian market are discussed. This book should
be highly interesting for anybody interested in
strategic management in the pharmacy industry.

Autorentext
Gudmundur Finnbogason, MBA: studied biochemistry at the
University of Iceland and University of Basel in Switzerland.
He finished his MBA from Danube University in Austria with a
focus on biotech and pharmaceutical management. He is currently
working in business development in the generics industry.

Klappentext
Professional or occupational regulations are a common part of many European work environments. Regulations include for example: minimum competence standards, entry barriers and minimum wages. One area which has been extensively protected by regulations, is the pharmacy industry in Europe. In recent years, there has been an increasing number of reports, where this high protection of pharmacies is challenged and it is argued that the regulations are anti-competitive and have no beneficial effects for other parties than the pharmacy owners. In June 2006, the EC sent a letter to Austria, where they challenged the number of current regulations concerning pharmacies and the protection they have in these countries. This book looks at current regulations in Austria and the most likely changes to happen within the next 5 years. Market analysis of both pharmacies and pharmaceutical wholesale in the Austrian market are conducted, including comparison to other major markets in Europe. Finally, possible outcomes for the Austrian market are discussed. This book should be highly interesting for anybody interested in strategic management in the pharmacy industry.