Source: European Parliament
Priority question for written answer P-002225/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Danuše Nerudová (PPE)
Independent pharmacies in Czechia report increasing difficulties in accessing certain prescription medicines. These medicines are often available exclusively through distributors owned or controlled by large pharmacy chains, which are allegedly refusing to supply them to small, independent pharmacies. This raises concerns of discriminatory access and potential abuse of dominant market position.
These practices appear to be creating de facto monopolies that distort fair competition in the pharmaceutical sector and jeopardise access to medicines – particularly for patients in rural and less densely populated areas, where independent pharmacies are often the only available point of care.
- 1.Is the Commission aware of these allegations regarding discriminatory distribution practices by large, vertically integrated pharmacy chains in Czechia?
- 2.Does the Commission consider such conduct to be in breach of EU competition law or internal market principles?
- 3.What instruments does the Commission have at its disposal to prevent large market players from abusing their position to exclude small pharmacies and limit patients’ access to medicines – especially in underserved regions?
Submitted: 3.6.2025