LEGAL MEANS OF ENSURING COMPETITION IN PHARMACY

The aim: To research the consequences of pharmacy chains monopolization and establishment of legal means of neutralization of such consequences. Materials and methods: The study is based on acts of the European Union, the United States, and Ukraine and international regulations and documents on health care. The study's materials were the results of a questionnaire survey of managers and specialists in a pharmacy on marketing contracts. The views of scientists on the above issue were also studied. The study analyzes generalized information from scientific journals using scientific, legal methods. Among the main research methods are systematic approach, analytical, statistical, comparative, dialectical, graphical, and a questionnaire survey of respondents. Results: Consolidation of massive pharmacy chains leads to an artificial increase in drug prices by almost 50 percent, which significantly reduces their availability to patients, and in many cases, makes treatment impossible due to lack of funds. Conclusions: As a result of further monopolization of the pharmacy market, the pharmaceutical industry, small pharmacy enterprises, and the complete distribution of medicines will be destroyed.