Pharmacies. A narrow margin needs sharp figures.

Medicines with a marketing authorisation under the Medicines Act fall under 9%. So do small-scale pharmacy preparations. Over-the-counter products without a marketing authorisation, personal care products and cosmetics fall under 21%. Unlike most care providers, you therefore simply charge VAT. That also means you may deduct the VAT on your purchases and investments.

The Medicines Act prohibits inducements, with exceptions. One of them covers discounts and bonuses when buying medicines. Conditions apply. Put every agreement in writing and have it checked before you sign. In your accounts you then see per supplier what you received.

You may only dispense medicines once the managing pharmacist is in the Health and Youth Care Inspectorate's register of established pharmacists. Have the stock valued separately from the goodwill. For tax, you write off goodwill at no more than 10% a year, so over at least ten years. If you buy through a new BV, it gets a new Chamber of Commerce number. Under the Healthcare Providers (Admission) Act you are then a new care provider.

Since 1 January 2025 the licence requirement has applied to almost all care providers that deliver care under the basic health insurance. Sole practitioners in a sole proprietorship are exempt. Existing providers received a licence by operation of law, but must meet the requirements. If your Chamber of Commerce number changes, for example with a new BV, you are seen as a new care provider and may need a new licence.

The Pharmacies cao applies to your assistants and other staff. It runs from 1 July 2024 to 31 December 2027 and has been declared generally binding. The pension runs through PMA, and you contribute to the Pharmacies Sector Fund. Pharmacists themselves are not covered by this cao. If you work as a pharmacist in a community pharmacy, you must take part in the SPOA pension fund. That also applies if you are employed or a DGA.

Yes. Pharmaceutical care is on the list of types of care for which a profit motive is allowed. The government is working on new rules for profit distributions in healthcare, with strict conditions and a maximum. That law does not yet apply. We keep track of it for you.

In principle, yes. Care providers submit an annual report on the previous year by 31 May. If you are small two years in a row, a lighter regime applies. That is the case if you meet two of these three: a balance sheet total up to €450,000, turnover up to €900,000 and fewer than 10 FTE on the payroll. Note: a pharmacy's turnover is often well above that limit.

Rates in community pharmacy are free. They are set in agreements with health insurers. Almost all pharmacies have a contract. The Dutch Healthcare Authority does not adjust free rates for inflation. So what you agree with the insurer decides most of your turnover. We show you what each contract brings in.