Introduction:

The need for quality standards in pharmaceutical services, that provides a safety, responsible and effectiveness use of medication, has led several changes in health systems over the years. There is also a struggle to position the pharmacy and pharmaceutical professionals as potential axes to enact health care. As a result of these changes, there are structural differences in pharmacy models between developed and developing countries. The present study sets out to provide a comparative analysis of Ecuador and Spain pharmacy office model, differentiating legislations concerning the functioning of pharmacies and comparing the pharmacy office models.

Method:

Documentary based research and a comparative study, regarding regulations and legislation of community pharmacies in Ecuador and Spain.

Results:

In this paper, the current legislation that regulates the Spanish and Ecuadorian pharmacy is analyzed, in reference to the establishment of new pharmacies, pharmaceutical ownership, prohibition of pharmacy chains, as well as the quality of the training of community pharmacists.

Conclusions:

In Latin American countries, as in the case of Ecuador, the pharmacy adopts a more liberal model, referring to the deregulation of the opening of new pharmacies, property issues, territorial planning system, as well as the non-presence of the professional pharmacist; resulting in a system with a strong commercial focus; thus emphasizing the ideal role to be played by the community pharmacy.

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