Estonia Plans to Allow Pharmacy Vending Machines for Prescription and OTC Drugs
A draft law in Estonia would permit pharmacy vending machines dispensing both over-the-counter and prescription medicines to improve access, though some pharmacists question their necessity and cost-effectiveness.
Estonia is moving forward with a draft law that would legalize pharmacy vending machines for both over-the-counter and prescription medicines. Under the proposal, a single general pharmacy license could cover up to five machines. In settlements with more than 4,000 residents, one machine would be allowed, but it must be located on the same site as the general pharmacy. In smaller settlements (under 4,000 residents), the machine can be either at the pharmacy site or at least one kilometer away from a pharmacy owned by a different operator.
The Ministry of Social Affairs, the Ministry of Economic Affairs, and the state innovation accelerator are behind the changes. However, some pharmacists have expressed skepticism, arguing that the machines are expensive with an uncertain payback period and that the problem they aim to solve is unclear. Estonia previously experimented with bank buses and pharmacy buses, both of which were later abandoned.
Former Social Minister Signe Riisalo (Reform Party) supports the plan, noting that maintaining a physical pharmacy is costlier due to rent and labor. Although the initial investment for machines is high, ongoing costs are lower, and they bring services closer to people. In contrast, former Social Minister Riina Sikkut (Social Democrat) is unconvinced, stating that if there were significant nighttime demand for medicines, 24-hour pharmacies would already exist. She emphasized that technological development should not replace pharmacists without strong justification.
The bill also includes other changes: general pharmacies will no longer be required to have on-site medicine preparation facilities; they can outsource this task to another general pharmacy. Patient access will not deteriorate as the pharmacy in the patient's home area remains responsible for accepting prescriptions and dispensing finished medicines. Hospital pharmacies will gain expanded rights, allowing them to prepare complex extemporaneous medicines for general pharmacies, private clinics, and other healthcare providers.
The draft does not include the earlier proposal for food couriers like Wolt or Bolt to deliver medicines, but the idea is not abandoned. Joosep Kään of Accelerate Estonia explained that current legislation may already permit a model where the pharmacy remains the seller and responsible party, while the platform acts as an additional sales channel and delivery intermediary.
