The present situation and future prospects for the pharmacist’s renumeration in Switzerland: A reorientation toward new paid professionnal services Are pharmacists « good value for money », Dr Michel Buchmann, Switzerland

Are pharmacists « good value for money », Dr Michel Buchmann, Switzerland In Switzerland, during the year 2008, we had to negotiate an update of the renumeration contract with the medical insurance companies. However for the first time we had to invest in six additional months of discussion. This is the sign that the negotiation processes are becoming more difficult. The consequences for the pharmacists are the following: either to give way to pressures each time by surrendering more of their remaining profit margin, or to be creative by proposing new payable services to replace part of the lost profit. During the next round of discussions it will be difficult to maintain a remuneration primarily based on the selling of medicines. The future will be oriented towards « quality, competences and services ». Dominique Jordan, pharmaSuisse President Pharma30, avril 2009

Are pharmacists « good value for money », Dr Michel Buchmann, Switzerland « The Swiss Price Control Office Report 2008 », 14 April 2009 Medicines are a permanent political issue. It is urgently required to change the profit margin system for the payment of the medicines by the insurance companies!

Prescription validation Individualised medicine manfacturing Number of involved patients and pharmacists ++++ Home Care Actual pharmaceutical services in Switzerland. Paid or not paid by Insurance Companies Generic substitution PreventionPharmaceutical screening Pillbox refillingIndividualised dispensingUrgencies Postgraduate educations needs + Are pharmacists « good value for money », Dr Michel Buchmann, Switzerland

Prescription validation Individualised medicine manfacturing Number of involved patients and pharmacists ++++ Home Care Future added pharmaceutical services in Switzerland. Paid or not paid by Insurance Companies Generic substitution PreventionPharmaceutical screening Pillbox refillingIndividualised dispensingUrgencies Postgraduate educations needs + Quality Circles with GP’sPolymedication Check Pharmaceutical assistance in nursing home Compliance consultations Therapeutic substitutions Medication review Patient Care management (HIV, oncology……) Are pharmacists « good value for money », Dr Michel Buchmann, Switzerland

Are pharmacists « good value for money », Dr Michel Buchmann, Switzerland « I have no reason to doubt that pharmaceutical services have a significant impact on health outcomes, but it is no longer acceptable to make such statements without hard data. » Prof. L. Sansom, Australian Pharmacist, April 1994 !!