We can all learn from the differences between the way that pharmacy is practised in other countries. But not that many pharmacists get the opportunity to work abroad or to study how their profession earns a living elsewhere. Early in my career I worked in a Germany community pharmacy. More recently I went through the process required to register as a pharmacist in France. As a result, I have been asked on several occasions by pharmacy suppliers to make presentations on how community pharmacy works in the UK in contrast with how pharmacy works in other European countries. I have also made a specific presentation on the 2005 New UK pharmacy contract to an invited group of French pharmacy journalists on behalf of a French pharmacists membership group.
Commercially, I have researched the Dutch, Polish and Belgian community pharmacy markets for a UK supplier looking to expand their service in those countries. Recently I have also been asked to compare and contrast the German and UK markets for a German product supplier considering exporting its products to the UK.
Through my European work, I have noticed that whilst medicines manufacturers are undoubtedly global, and some pharmacy equipment suppliers have certainly spread their reach across Europe, there is still not a truly pan-European feel to community pharmacy. Considering how closely we are all situated, there are undoubtedly opportunities for greater sharing of ideas and of business practice to the benefit of all.