Impact assessment of the recomendations issued in the studies on the wholesale and retail distribution markets for medicines

This report assesses the recommendations of the Study on the Retail Distribution Market for Medicines in Spain (E/CNMC/003/15) and the Study on the Wholesale Distribution Market for Medicines (E/CNMC/002/17). The adoption of these recommendations would bring important benefits in terms of better access to pharmaceutical services and medicines, more competitive prices and greater quality and innovation in the sector, all for the benefit of patients, the sustainability of the Spanish National Health System (SNHS) and the well-being of citizens. The degree of follow-up to the CNMC's recommendations in the wholesale sector would be high, if the regulatory reforms that are underway are approved. It is estimated that its introduction could save around 1,800 million euros per year in pharmaceutical spending in a scenario of moderate increase in competition. In the retail sector, the degree of adherence to the recommendations is low. Based on the experience of Navarre, it is estimated that reducing restrictions on the opening of pharmacies could create, after 10 years, around 20,000 new pharmacies and 45,000 new jobs, most of them skilled.