Andorra Councillor Tables 47 Amendments to Boost Pharmacy Flexibility

Laia Moliné, a general councillor from Andorra's Social Democratic Group, has submitted 47 amendments to the Pharmaceutical Organisation Bill, aiming to update regulations for evolving healthcare demands and expand pharmacies' role in patient care.

The proposals would allow pharmacies to join public health programmes and offer new services such as early detection tests and sample collection, subject to authorisation and strict safeguards. To address digitalisation, the amendments pave the way for future rules on remote dispensing of prescription medicines, including prescription verification, pharmacist oversight and full traceability. They also seek a public registry of pharmacies approved for online sales.

Flexibility measures target exceptional situations where a substitute pharmacist is unavailable temporarily. In such cases, limited remote supervision by a pharmacist would be permitted, provided qualified technical staff remain on site.

Planning for pharmacies would account for not just the registered population but also tourists, seasonal residents and workers, with ratios and potential new authorisations made public.

The government would be tasked with evaluating a dedicated training programme for pharmacy technicians or assistants, including recognition of existing staff experience.

"We want a law that guarantees patient safety while being modern, flexible and ready for healthcare evolution," Moliné stated. The amendments focus on patient-centred approaches with transparency as a key principle.