kedjapotek

Kedjapotek, a Swedish term meaning “chain pharmacy,” refers to a retail network of pharmacies that is owned or managed by a single corporate group and operates under a common brand. It contrasts with independent pharmacies that are locally owned and run without formal corporate linkage.

Typical features of kedjapotek include multiple locations under a unified brand, centralized procurement and logistics, standardized product ranges and services, shared information technology systems for prescription handling, and coordinated marketing and loyalty programs. They often offer prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, health-related products, and professional consultation services, and in some markets may provide vaccination or health screening.

Ownership and structure vary. Kedjapotek can be wholly owned by a parent company, operate under franchise-like arrangements, or be part of a purchasing cooperative. Regulatory frameworks require licensed pharmacists to be involved in dispensing in many jurisdictions, and kedjapotek must comply with national pharmacy laws and ethical standards.

Advantages of kedjapotek include economies of scale, a consistent customer experience, wider geographic access, and efficient supply chains. Critics argue that market concentration can reduce competition and threaten the viability of independent pharmacies, potentially affecting local access and price diversity.

Notable kedjapotek in Sweden include major chains that operate nationwide and coordinate branding, service standards, and distribution. The term and model are used in various countries, where regulatory regimes and market conditions shape how kedjapotek operate and compete with independent pharmacies.