On Thursday, the trade union presented a survey conducted in March, in which almost 700 pharmaceutical specialists took part. According to V. Bražinskienė, there are about 5 thousand licensed specialists in Lithuania.
It asks whether the decisions of pharmaceutical specialists when advising clients and selling medicines and other pharmaceutical products are determined by the conditions set by the employer.
85 percent specialists stated that the decisions they make are determined by the conditions created by the employer.
“This means, if the patient came to the pharmacy to buy something x, 85 percent specialists working in the pharmacy will sell him the kind of product that the employer wants, and not necessarily the kind that the patient needs,” said V. Bražinskienė.
When asked to name the most commonly used exposure measures in pharmacies, 88 percent. of the respondents answered that a supplement to the salary is paid for certain sold goods.
“Each pharmacy has certain plans that the collective must achieve, and I, as a representative of the Pharmacy Workers Trade Union, know the situation in all networks (…), summarizing this without specifying any one network, I would like to say that there are certain medicines lists that are more favorable to the employer, with whom certain contracts have been concluded, for example, with suppliers or the like, are personal so-called proprietary brands”, – said the representative of the trade union.
87 percent respondents indicated that various personal indicators are calculated from the sales of their own brands, 59 percent. noticed that personal indicators are calculated from accompanying sales.
At that time, almost half of the respondents (49%) said that the number of sold goods in one check is calculated and evaluated, and according to 42%. of respondents, the use of loyalty cards is calculated as a percentage.
“All these criteria are calculated. Reports are sent, graphs and curves are drawn of how their pharmacists are doing. There are certainly those who categorically do not want to do this, and their indicators are poor. This is discussed and discussed with them. Then, of course, the issue of salary is resolved, it usually does not arise, vacation schedules are unfavorable, the workplace is changed and so on,” said V. Bražinskienė.
According to her, the situation is very bad, there are a lot of appeals from the community for measures of impact.
The representative of the trade union also noted that it was hoped that the universal code of professional ethics of Lithuanian pharmacists, signed in June, would force pharmacy chains to change their “aggressive sales policy”, but according to her, not even the “slightest shift for the better” has taken place.
The Code stipulates that a pharmacist, when providing a pharmaceutical service, “always acts as an independent healthcare professional, dissociating himself from the interests of third parties”, and the pharmacist’s personal beliefs must not harm the patient.
The survey also showed that the vast majority (96%) of pharmacists believe that the irrational use of medicines in the country is very common or widespread.
According to 81 percent of those surveyed, it is caused by drug advertising, 72 percent. respondents cited the possibility of purchasing medicines outside of pharmacies and using them without the consultation of a pharmaceutical specialist as the reason, at that time, 69 percent. discounts for medicines were given as the reason, and 56% respondents answered that the pressure of the employer on the pharmaceutical specialist to sell as many medicines as possible.
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#Pharmaceutical #specialists #pressure #sell #products #union
**Interview with V. Bražinskienė, Representative of the Pharmacy Workers Trade Union**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, V. Bražinskienė. Recently, a survey revealed some concerning trends regarding the decision-making processes of pharmaceutical specialists in Lithuania. Could you elaborate on what the survey found?
**V. Bražinskienė:** Thank you for having me. Yes, the survey, which included almost 700 pharmaceutical specialists, indicated that a staggering 85% of them feel that their professional decisions are heavily influenced by their employer’s conditions. This essentially means that when a patient seeks a specific medication, the recommendation provided is often based on what the employer wants to sell rather than what the patient truly needs.
**Editor:** That’s quite alarming. What practices were highlighted as contributing to this issue?
**V. Bražinskienė:** We found that 88% of the respondents noted that their salaries are supplemented based on the sale of certain products. Pharmacies set sales targets and sometimes prioritize proprietary brands over patient needs. Additionally, indicators such as sales volume, the use of loyalty cards, and personal sales performance are all closely monitored, which can pressure pharmacists to push certain products regardless of the patient’s best interests.
**Editor:** It sounds like there is a significant impact on the pharmacist-patient relationship. How do you think this situation can be improved?
**V. Bražinskienė:** It’s essential for us to look towards ethical reforms. With the universal code of professional ethics for Lithuanian pharmacists signed this past June, we hope it will promote patient-centered practices and safeguard the integrity of our profession. However, more robust implementation and enforcement are needed to ensure that these ethical standards are upheld across all pharmacies.
**Editor:** What kind of measures would you suggest to create a more balanced environment for pharmacists?
**V. Bražinskienė:** First and foremost, we need to establish clearer regulations that prioritize patient welfare over profit. Greater transparency in pharmacy operations can also help. Empowering pharmacists to make independent choices for their patients, without the pressure of sales targets, is crucial. Advocate for better working conditions and fairer compensation structures that don’t rely solely on sales performance.
**Editor:** Thank you, V. Bražinskienė, for shedding light on this critical issue. Clearly, there is a need for systemic change to prioritize both pharmacists and the patients they serve.
**V. Bražinskienė:** Thank you for having me. It’s important that we continue to discuss these issues and work towards real solutions.
