Setting up a pharmacy

Applying for a licence

A designated form must be used for the application. Information about what the application must contain can be found in the Swedish MPA’s regulations (LVFS 2009:8) and accompanying guide. The Swedish MPA assesses whether or not the business has conditions in place to meet the regulatory framework requirements. For example:

• that the applicant is suitable for running a pharmacy practice;
• that the people in control of the company are personally and financially suitable;
• that the description of the pharmacy’s practice is reasonable;
• that the pharmacy premises are fit‍-‍for‍-‍purpose and adequately staffed;
• that the pharmacy has  an appointed pharmacist responsible for the pharmacy`s quality (a quality responsible pharmacist);
• that the pharmacy is capable of supplying all prescribed medicinal products and other products that are included in the pharmaceutical benefits scheme;
• that there are no circumstances prohibiting issuance of a licence.

Fees and processing

Application fee: SEK 20 000 per pharmacy. The application fee must be paid even if the application is not approved.

Annual fee: SEK 11 500 per pharmacy licence and calendar year. The annual fee must be paid even if the business has not opened.

Processing time: 90 days from the date that the application is complete.

An application is considered ‘complete’ only when all documents and information required to be able to assess the application have been submitted.

The size of the fees and the processing time for the pharmacy licence have been decided by the government.