University Pharmacy is owned by the University of Helsinki. In addition to the main pharmacy located in Helsinki, University Pharmacy has 16 branch pharmacies throughout Finland. In 2011, an online pharmacy was opened, with a product range including more than 4,000 over-the-counter medications and other pharmacy products.
As the most significant employer of pharmaceutical personnel in Finland, University Pharmacy supports both research and education through its operations. In addition, University Pharmacy functions as a teaching pharmacy, offering trainee programs for 80–100 pharmaceutical students annually.
2011 in brief
Turnover and profit
University Pharmacy’s turnover in Finland totalled 263.5 million euros. The pharmacy fee levied on medicine sales amounted to 23.8 million euros. University Pharmacy’s net profit in 2011 totalled 16.7 million euros, the entire amount of which was submitted to the University of Helsinki.
Number of prescriptions
In 2011, University Pharmacy processed some 4.5 million prescriptions – about 10 % of all delivered prescriptions in the country. Of all the electronic prescriptions delivered in the country, University Pharmacy was responsible for every fifth, with the use of this system starting to become common in Finland in 2011.
Personnel
In Finland, University Pharmacy employs 934 people, of whom 49 % are pharmaceutical staff. Activities organised in line with the Pharmacy’s Human Resources Strategy support business operations through professional development, skilful management and the promotion of wellbeing at work. In 2011, University Pharmacy was ranked fifth best in the Great Place to Work awards.
Services
University Pharmacy serves customers at 17 outlets and through its online pharmacy every day, with its business hours extending round the clock. In addition, University Pharmacy hosts many services supporting national pharmaceutical functions, such as its 24 h telephone service and centralised medication preparation. In 2011, 13,000 medications not found amongst regular pharmaceutical products sold in Finland were prepared as handcrafted products for University Pharmacy customers and customers of other pharmacies.
Environment
University Pharmacy actively continued to raise awareness about the correct disposal of medication and the risks of keeping unneeded medicines at home. Waste medications – i.e. expired or unused items – can be returned free-of-charge to University Pharmacy's pharmaceutical waste disposal containers.
International operations
At the end of 2011, University Pharmacy operated a total of 29 pharmacies and health shops in Estonia and Russia. Estonian and Russian turnover reached 15.8 million euros last year, representing 5.4 per cent of the total turnover of the University Pharmacy Group.