One in two pharmacies about to close: If problem is not solved, it will be like drug crisis

Of the more than 45 thousand pharmacies in Turkey, 28 thousand 700 are struggling not to close down. The President of the Turkish Pharmacists’ Union (TEB), Arman ÜNEY emphasized that one of the two pharmacies faced the risk of closure and said, “Pharmacists whose payments to pharmaceutical warehouses have accumulated are able to continue to serve by trying to pay off a loan debt with another.”

Saying that the drug shortages are about to turn into pharmacy shortages, Üney said, “If a solution is not found, pharmacy shortages will also occur.”

One of the important areas affected by health policies is pharmacies. The economic problems arising from the attitudes and decisions of the administration leave pharmacies that “not only provide medicines, but also provide consulting services on many health-related issues”, facing a struggle for survival.

Although TEB wants to meet with President Tayyip Erdogan and tell him about their problems, their appointment requests have not yet been returned.

Pharmacists, who took action to make the public aware of their problems, entered into an action process that extended to closing the pharmacy. In mid-October, a preparatory committee for the great pharmacist rally will be undertaken in Ankara. The day of the rally will be announced after the Fourth Board of Presidents meeting on September 23.