A law approved by the Orbán government states that pharmacists must acquire at least 25% ownership in pharmacies by January 1, 2014 and 51% by January 1, 2017.

If no pharmacist exercises the pre-emptive right to buy a greater stake within 30 days of the above deadlines, then the state will have the right to purchase the stake.

These stakes can be resold by the state at a public auction after three years.

Source: Hungary Around the Clock

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