II 'criterio urbanistico' e il decentramento delle farmacie: Problematiche e soluzioni regionali

In Italy the number of open pharmacies in every town is established according to the number of inhabitants. As population can change during the years the correlation between number of pharmacies and number of inhabitants can become unrepresentative. When populations grow new pharmacies are opened, but if populations decrease this can result in a surplus of pharmacies. In 1991 a new law (n. 362) introduced the possibility of changing the disposition of pharmacies following the changes in population. The regulation of this provision is demanded to the regional power. The most correct principles to be considered when more than one pharmacy owner asks to move are the shorter distance among pharmacies, the decrease of population and the reduction of the proceeds of sales. Furthermore any chosen criterion has to be clear, objective and related to the concrete situation, in order to guarantee citizens a correct service. Aim of the present work was to analyse the different regional choices and to verify the real meaning of this new law.