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Published Online, 24 June 2008, www.theannals.com, DOI 10.1345/aph.1K644.
 The Annals of Pharmacotherapy: Vol. 42, No. 7, pp. 1104-1111. DOI 10.1345/aph.1K644
© 2008 Harvey Whitney Books Company.
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Pharmaceutical Care in Community Pharmacies: Practice and Research in Estonia

Daisy Volmer, MSc (Pharm)

Lecturer, Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia

Kaidi Vendla, MSc (Pharm)

Head Pharmacist, Estonian Pharmacists' Association, Tallinn, Estonia

Andre Vetka, MSc (Pharm)

at time of writing, Project Manager, Medicines Policy, Health Care Department, Ministry of Social Affairs, Estonia; now, Access/Public Affairs Coordinator, Eli Lilly (Suisse) S.A.,Tallinn

J Simon Bell, PhD

Senior Lecturer, Division of Social Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland

David Hamilton, PhD

Recruitment, Admissions and Participation Service, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, UK

Reprints: Dr. Volmer, Institute of Pharmacy, University of Tartu, 1 Nooruse St., 50411 Tartu, Estonia, fax 3727375289, daisy. volmer{at}ut.ee

OBJECTIVE: To describe practice and research related to pharmaceutical care in Estonia following the country's restoration of independence from Russia in 1991.

FINDINGS: The transition from a Soviet to a free market economy has impacted the healthcare and pharmacy systems in Estonia. Following independence, ownership of community pharmacies was transferred from the State government to individual pharmacists. However, pharmacy ownership is no longer restricted to pharmacists and recent years have seen the emergence of large pharmacy chains. The number of community pharmacies in Estonia increased from 270 in 1992 to 523 in 2007. In addition to dispensing, Estonian pharmacies retain a focus on compounding of extemporaneous products and supply of herbal medications. Research into pharmaceutical care has addressed topics including pharmaceutical policy and the quality of pharmacy services provided at community pharmacies.

DISCUSSION: There has been limited pressure to date from the governmental institutions and patient organizations to introduce extended pharmaceutical services. However, the trend toward providing health services in primary care will create greater responsibilities and new opportunities for community pharmacists. Recent inclusion of clinical pharmacy and interprofessional learning in the undergraduate pharmacy curriculum will help ensure ongoing development of the profession and high-quality pharmacy services in the future.

CONCLUSIONS: Pharmaceutical care services in Estonian community pharmacies have become more patient-oriented over the past 17 years. However, community pharmacies continue to retain a focus on traditional roles.

Key Words: community pharmacy services, Estonia

Published Online, June 24, 2008. www.theannals.com, DOI 10.1345/aph.1K644




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