Pharmacy Practice and Education in Croatia.

Area of Science:

• Pharmacy Education
• Healthcare Policy
• Professional Practice

Background:

• The PHARMINE project investigated pharmacy education and practice across the European Union (EU).
• Harmonization efforts aim to standardize professional standards and facilitate mobility within the EU.
• Understanding Croatia's specific context is crucial for assessing its integration into the European pharmacy landscape.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present the findings of the PHARMINE survey specifically for Croatia.
• To evaluate the extent of harmonization between Croatian pharmacy norms and EU standards.
• To assess the impact of this harmonization on pharmacist mobility and healthcare delivery in Croatia.

Main Methods:

• An electronic survey was distributed to a diverse group of pharmacy professionals in Croatia.
• Respondents included community, hospital, and industrial pharmacists, as well as university staff and students.
• Data analysis focused on comparing Croatian practices and perceptions against established EU norms.

Main Results:

• The survey revealed the degree to which Croatian pharmacy education and practice align with EU directives.
• Findings indicate the extent to which harmonization has influenced the mobility of pharmacists within Croatia and potentially across the EU.
• The study identified the perceived and actual impacts of these changes on the quality and accessibility of healthcare services.

Conclusions:

• Croatian pharmacy sector shows varying levels of alignment with EU standards.
• Harmonization efforts have had a discernible impact on professional mobility and healthcare outcomes.
• Further integration and adaptation may be necessary to fully realize the benefits of EU harmonization in Croatian pharmacy.