Medbase focuses on medical treatments in pharmacies
Published: Saturday, Jul 6th 2024, 05:00
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The Migros healthcare subsidiary Medbase wants to offer more medical treatments in its pharmacies. Blood samples for laboratory tests are conceivable in the future, as Medbase CEO Marcel Napierala said in an interview.
In an interview with the "Neue Zürcher Zeitung" newspaper on Saturday, Napierala said that pharmacies should change from points of sale to places of treatment. He qualified the strategy by saying that these were small steps and not a revolution. This is necessary because thousands of GPs will be leaving the profession in the next few years.
Patients with chronic diseases would therefore be transferred from the practice to the pharmacy. "Pharmacists are specialists with a university education and a great deal of expertise," said Napierala. They are also becoming increasingly important when it comes to vaccinations.
He sees the involvement of pharmacies as part of the solution to the shortage of GPs. In addition to a training offensive, Napierala called for more interprofessional teams. Nursing staff and medical practice assistants would already relieve the pressure on doctors today.
Commitment to the healthcare sector
Migros is undergoing a transformation. Medbase is profitable in all business areas, said Napierala. Migros' top management has committed itself to the healthcare division. "Also because they saw that we are active in a growing market," he said. When asked by the newspaper, the company boss ruled out the possibility of Medbase becoming its own health insurance company "with certainty". Rather, it needs good cooperation with existing health insurance companies.
The Migros subsidiary took over the Swiss business of the Zur Rose pharmacy chain last year. Most recently, 51 pharmacies belonged to Medbase, as can be seen on the company's website.
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