---
title: "Public Finance Perspective from Recent Studies on Finnish Pharmaceutical Markets"
authors:
  - name: "Jokelainen, Antto"
  - name: "Markkanen, Jaakko"
    url: "https://www.etla.fi/henkilot/markkanen-jaakko/"
    sameAs:
      - "https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4743-7790"
      - "https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=S810psIAAAAJ"
      - "https://x.com/JaakkoMarkkanen/"
      - "https://markkaj.github.io/"
  - name: "Siikanen, Markku"
  - name: "Toivanen, Otto"
date_published: "2025-04-17"
series: "ETLA Muistio - ETLA Brief"
series_number: "157"
issn:
  - "2323-2463"
jel_codes:
  - "I11"
  - "H51"
  - "L43"
  - "L51"
  - "L81"
  - "R12"
  - "C23"
language: "fi"
publisher: "ETLA Economic Research"
pdf_url: "https://www.etla.fi/wp-content/uploads/ETLA-Muistio-Brief-157.pdf"
identifier: "https://www.etla.fi/julkaisut/id/ETLA-Muistio---ETLA-Brief-157"
abstract_translations:
  en: "Petteri Orpo’s government program plans to reform pharmaceutical and pharmacy regulation in Finland. In this memo, we review some of the effects of cost-saving measures targeted at the pharmaceutical markets in light of recent economic research. We present two recommendations. First, we propose transferring medicines to the general VAT rate. Secondly, we recommend reforming or replacing the pharmacy tax with the standard corporate tax, should the regulation of pharmacy numbers and locations be removed."
---

# Public Finance Perspective from Recent Studies on Finnish Pharmaceutical Markets

**Published:** 2025-04-17  
**Categories:** Briefs  
**URL:** https://www.etla.fi/en/publications/briefs/toimivat-apteekkimarkkinat-edellyttavat-saantelyn-kokonaisuudistusta/

#### Abstract

Petteri Orpo’s government program plans to reform pharmaceutical and pharmacy regulation in Finland. In this memo, we review some of the effects of cost-saving measures targeted at the pharmaceutical markets in light of recent economic research.

We present two recommendations. First, we propose transferring medicines to the general VAT rate. Secondly, we recommend reforming or replacing the pharmacy tax with the standard corporate tax, should the regulation of pharmacy numbers and locations be removed.

---

## Additional Information

**Kirjoittajat:** Jokelainen, Antto - Markkanen, Jaakko - Siikanen, Markku - Toivanen, Otto

**Publication Research:** No

65321

**Kansikuva:** https://www.etla.fi/wp-content/uploads/etla-muistio-brief-157-kansi.jpg

**Lataa Pdf:** https://www.etla.fi/wp-content/uploads/ETLA-Muistio-Brief-157.pdf

**Key Words:** Pharmaceuticals, Pharmacies, Regulation, Public finance

**Jel:** I11, H51, L43, L51, L81, R12, C23

**Paivays:** 17.04.2025

**Sivuja:** 10

**Kieli:** fi

**Sarja:** ETLA Muistio - ETLA Brief

**Sarja Nro:** 157

**Issn:** 2323-2463

**Saatavuus:** 2



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