Has anyone heard of any kind of 'co-op' Pharmacy system in Finland?
Someone I know just came back from Sweden and heard there was one there - with completely different prices for health articles (those not classified as ethical drugs). Unfortunately they forgot to get the name.
Pharmacy - Co-op?
Re: Pharmacy - Co-op?
Illegal here. Every pharmacy is run by single person, not company. Or rather all the drugs are sold by him or her, all the other stuff are sold by his/her company. For tax reasons.harryc wrote:Has anyone heard of any kind of 'co-op' Pharmacy system in Finland+
Someone I know just came back from Sweden and heard there was one there - with completely different prices for health articles (those not classified as ethical drugs). Unfortunately they forgot to get the name.
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Re: Pharmacy - Co-op?
I am rather sure the tight regulations are in regard to ethical drugs (prescriptions, etc.)
I am rather referring to non-prescription articles such as bandages, lotions, etc. There is a terrible rip-off on those prices and distribution systems. For years one couldn't even get simple vitamins AT ALL except at ridiculous apteekki prices - now they are only 50% ridiculous from S Market and 'Biostores' - once customs found some bottles of Vitamin C in my suitcase and I had to bring a letter to them from a local pharmacy giving permission to 'import' them - it was a local pharmacy where I got prescriptions so they were 'forced' to br accomodating to their customer.
One just has to look at 'world' prices on apteekki-shelf satuff and realize there is a huge conspiracy going on. This is one place where some sensible EU directives could help.
Anyhow - some real competition would be welcome and the Swedish co-op thing I heard about could be effective.
I am rather referring to non-prescription articles such as bandages, lotions, etc. There is a terrible rip-off on those prices and distribution systems. For years one couldn't even get simple vitamins AT ALL except at ridiculous apteekki prices - now they are only 50% ridiculous from S Market and 'Biostores' - once customs found some bottles of Vitamin C in my suitcase and I had to bring a letter to them from a local pharmacy giving permission to 'import' them - it was a local pharmacy where I got prescriptions so they were 'forced' to br accomodating to their customer.
One just has to look at 'world' prices on apteekki-shelf satuff and realize there is a huge conspiracy going on. This is one place where some sensible EU directives could help.
Anyhow - some real competition would be welcome and the Swedish co-op thing I heard about could be effective.
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Re: Pharmacy - Co-op?
A co-op doesn't automatically mean lower prices. Think for example the S-chain. It's also a co-op. Have you tried searching and buying them online?harryc wrote: Anyhow - some real competition would be welcome and the Swedish co-op thing I heard about could be effective.
Re: Pharmacy - Co-op?
You've hit the nail on the head re S-Market! A perfect example of what a co-op shouldn't be! There is hardly more arrogance in the Finnish retail field - with the incredible amount of BS ads that YOU are the owner.
Anyhow - fortunately it is not typical of the co-op system.
And you are also right - co-ops don't necessarily mean best prices - the problem is that the goodwill aspect attracts people who also may not be all that good at counting and the co-ops don't end up 'working' - interesting irony to me.
If not co-ops - then it could be a company that is interested on focusing on 'nice prices.' That CAN be a successful business model too.
On-line? Yes have done so - primarily the 'free shipping' via Amazon UK which is now defunct! Shipping costs from outside are huge (anyone familiar with otherwise?). Another problem is that 'health' product manufacturers have set up 'no export' policies for even EU countries.*** This is probably illegal but one would have to do some digging to get evidence of such conspiracies. And the 'no class action' rules in Euro legal systems prevent anyone from taking legal action - one can get Competition Authorities interested but it's a lot of work.
In any case - the Finnish Apteekki rip-off continues - unabated.
*** Companies can have no export policies on their own - but if shown that it is part of a wider conspiracy by a manufacturer - collusion etc. then it is prohibited.
Anyhow - fortunately it is not typical of the co-op system.
And you are also right - co-ops don't necessarily mean best prices - the problem is that the goodwill aspect attracts people who also may not be all that good at counting and the co-ops don't end up 'working' - interesting irony to me.
If not co-ops - then it could be a company that is interested on focusing on 'nice prices.' That CAN be a successful business model too.
On-line? Yes have done so - primarily the 'free shipping' via Amazon UK which is now defunct! Shipping costs from outside are huge (anyone familiar with otherwise?). Another problem is that 'health' product manufacturers have set up 'no export' policies for even EU countries.*** This is probably illegal but one would have to do some digging to get evidence of such conspiracies. And the 'no class action' rules in Euro legal systems prevent anyone from taking legal action - one can get Competition Authorities interested but it's a lot of work.
In any case - the Finnish Apteekki rip-off continues - unabated.
*** Companies can have no export policies on their own - but if shown that it is part of a wider conspiracy by a manufacturer - collusion etc. then it is prohibited.