Proud to be the technology partner for Grab2GO, a disruptive player in the regulated healthcare sector that aims to improve access to medications and improve efficiencies in healthcare through innovative self-service pharmacies. #HealthcareInnovation #eHealth #Helmes #SelfServicePharmacies #Grab2Go
Driving innovation in healthcare: Estonia’s vision for self-service pharmacies 👩⚕️💊 Regulating to open a new market might seem counterintuitive, doesn't it? Yet, in healthcare and pharmaceuticals, stringent regulations are essential to maintain safety standards. Driving innovation is particularly challenging under such conditions. 💊 Yesterday, the Accelerate Estonia team, in collaboration with PwC, presented the impact analysis of self-service pharmacies at the Sotsiaalministeerium / The Ministry of Social Affairs of Estonia. Stakeholders gathered to review the key findings. The analysis evaluated the potential impact of self-service pharmacies on healthcare services, medicine access, and pharmacy flexibility in Estonia. Key points include: - 24/7 availability: With 24/7 pharmacies only in Tallinn and Tartu, self-service options can reduce the strain on emergency services in other regions by providing constant access to medication. - Improved regional access: Self-service pharmacies can enhance access to medicines in underserved rural areas by operating 24/7 at lower costs. - Reducing pharmacists’ workload: By handling administrative tasks, self-service pharmacies reduce the burden on pharmacists, particularly in rural areas facing staff shortages. Estonia’s aging pharmacist workforce and reluctance among younger specialists to work in rural areas can be mitigated by remote advisory systems in self-service pharmacies. - Reducing emergency visits: The analysis suggests that introducing self-service pharmacies could save between €1.03 million and €2.99 million in ambulance costs and between €1.19 million and €3.43 million in emergency room visits over five years. - Crisis preparedness: Self-service pharmacies offer crucial access to medicines during crises when traditional pharmacies may be unavailable as they are mobile and can easily be transported to any location needed. In a highly regulated and complex sector like pharmaceuticals, it's essential to engage stakeholders from all sides, including pharmacies, pharmacists, the Ministry of Social Affairs, and technology providers such as Grab2GO. Thank you to everyone who contributed their insights - only by working together, we can create a solution that meets the needs of both the industry and the public, making sure we do innovation the right way. Data-driven decision making in the government is a key factor that Accelerate Estonia strives for. By offering this data to the government, we hope to make impactful businesses like the self-service automated pharmacies a reality.