From vaccines to screening: behind the advancing pharmacy is the distribution network
The recent measures launched by the government regarding the remuneration of the supply chain are a sign of attention
From vaccines to screening campaigns, through to the daily dispensing of drugs and medical devices, the network of distributors today represents one of the most solid and reliable infrastructures of our health system. With the launch, from 1 October, of the new flu and Covid vaccination campaign and the resumption of institutional prevention screening initiatives promoted in pharmacies, the effectiveness of a model that unites public and private in health protection and prevention is confirmed.
It is the concrete manifestation of a proximity healthcare that works, capable of reaching millions of citizens every day, even in territories where assistance risks being more fragile.
At the heart of this model is Intermediary Distribution, the bridge that connects production and pharmacy, guaranteeing continuity, safety and quality at every stage of the process. A role that is not merely logistical, but essentially health and service-related: it is thanks to this network that 19,500 pharmacies can operate as true health garrisons, offering services, prevention and assistance in a capillary and coordinated manner, even in inland and rural areas, where for more than 12 million citizens the pharmacy is the most accessible health service. A presence that integrates health, service and economic and social cohesion.
The recent measures launched by the government regarding the remuneration of the supply chain - which recognise the essential function played by intermediary distributors - are an important sign of attention and vision. It is a step in the right direction, because investing in this segment means consolidating the entire proximity network and strengthening the country's ability to respond to health needs in a timely and fair manner.
This recognition opens up a new phase: a constructive and long-term confrontation between institutions and operators, oriented towards the sustainability and overall efficiency of the system. It is a matter of working together for a stable balance that enhances every link in the chain, from the producer to the pharmacist, passing through those who every day ensure that everything arrives where it is needed, quickly, with certainty of transparency, therefore without waste and with full guarantee of safety for the health of citizens.
