Estonia is moving closer to introducing 24/7 automated pharmacies after draft legislation designed to legalise the service was finalised and submitted for public consultation, according to Accelerate Estonia, a government-backed innovation lab that shapes public policy to enable high-impact businesses.
Developed in collaboration with the Estonian Ministry of Social Affairs, the draft legislation is expected to be submitted to the Estonian Parliament in the near future.
Accelerate Estonia says the reform addresses a significant gap in healthcare provision. While medical emergencies can happen at any time, 24/7 pharmacies currently operate in only two Estonian cities, forcing many people to rely on hospital emergency departments for basic medicines outside normal opening hours. In addition, 53% of the country’s pharmacists are over the age of 50, highlighting a looming workforce shortage.
The initiative began after retail technology company Grab2GO encountered regulatory barriers while attempting to launch its automated pharmacy solution.
Rather than waiting for the system to change, co-founders Mart Viilipus and Reio Orasmäe partnered with Accelerate Estonia, setting in motion the legislative changes needed to bring the concept to market.
Grab2GO says pharmacies are often inaccessible in remote areas or outside standard opening hours, while autonomous pharmacy kiosks can bridge this gap without compromising regulatory compliance or professional oversight.
We are ready with proven technology and pilot experience to scale this vision into reality.
Grab2GO
Under the draft legislation, automated pharmacies would be defined as structural units of general pharmacies. They would be permitted to dispense medicines without a pharmacist being physically present on site, while patients would continue to receive professional advice through live video consultations with a licensed pharmacist.
According to Accelerate Estonia, automated pharmacies could save the state healthcare system millions of euros over time by reducing pressure on hospital emergency departments and ambulance services.
The proposed legislation is also expected to encourage further innovation in the healthcare sector by enabling existing pharmacy staff to deliver services more efficiently through modern technology.
Accelerate Estonia says that once the model is successfully integrated into Estonia’s legal framework, it could serve as a clear regulatory blueprint for other countries while creating new export opportunities for Estonian health technology companies.
30.06.2026.
