September the 19th, 2025 – Croatia has created an innovative pharmacy boat. It’s the first of its kind in all of Europe, and it has begun work within the Zadar archipelago.
As Morski writes, the very first mobile pharmacy boat in all of Croatia was officially put into function recently in Zadar. Its use marks the beginning of a new phase of primary healthcare modernisation, with an emphasis placed on better access to healthcare services for island residents and those living in more remote coastal areas.
Croatia and its creation of the first pharmacy boat is a fantastic and first example of a mobile pharmacy at sea. It is part of a wider investment in improving primary healthcare, worth three million euros, financed from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) and the state budget. The project was launched by the Ministry of Health in cooperation with seven counties, with Zadar County being the first to establish a mobile pharmacy boat, with another boat expected to arrive by the end of September.
The handover ceremony was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Health, Zadar County and the county pharmacy institution Ljekarna Zadar, who emphasised the importance of the project for ensuring fairer and more equitable healthcare.
“This project concretely demonstrates just how we’re working towards more equitable access to pharmacy care. Mobile pharmacies on boats are an innovative response to the needs of island residents, they’re a combination of modern technology, a sustainable approach and care for the local community. In this way, the government and the Ministry of Health are further strengthening the primary healthcare network and ensuring equal access to medicines and expert advice, regardless of people’s place of residence,” said the Minister of Health, Dr. Irena Hrstić.
Zadar County Prefect Josip Bilaver pointed out that upon the arrival of the other boats, Zadar County will be the first and only in Croatia, and very likely in Europe, to have this kind of organised delivery of medicines to the islands.
“As a result of this project, the residents of the Zadar archipelago will have much easier access to medicines and healthcare. The pharmacy boat will be made available to the islanders at all times, especially on those islands on which there are no pharmacies,” revealed Bilaver.
The value of the two boats stands at almost two million euros including VAT, and the additional value is the fact that they’re completely manufactured and equipped in Croatia. They also produce significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions, which means that the project also contributes to sustainable development and the promotion of domestic shipbuilding.
“I’m really glad that we’ve entered into this project, which is being financed from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. I’d therefore like to thank the Croatian Government for its support. I’d also like to congratulate the contractor, I’m glad that the EU funds were used by a Croatian company. This project will really help the recovery and development of the Croatian economy,” added the prefect.
After the Ministry of Health adopts the regulations on use, Ljekarne Zadar will draw up a delivery schedule and announce a tender for the boat manager. This concept of mobile pharmacies has already come to life on the mainland, where six specialised vehicles provide pharmacy services in areas without a permanent pharmacy infrastructure. Croatia being the first to go one step further and create a pharmacy boat shows genuine care for improvement for islanders.
Special emphasis has been placed on communities with a predominantly elderly population, which are poorly connected by transport to larger urban centres that offer an array of healthcare services. The new boat pharmacy boat has been adapted to the specifics of the Croatian Adriatic region, and the arrival of the second unit will further improve the supply of medicines for the island’s residents and tourists alike.
The introduction of mobile pharmacy boats will improve the availability of medicines and pharmaceutical services to residents of twelve inhabited islands belonging to Zadar County – Ist, Molat, Silba, Olib, Premuda, Zverinac, Iž, Rivnj, Sestrunj, Ošljak, Rava and Vrgada (1,554 inhabitants according to the 2021 Census) where there is no pharmacy or pharmacy depot, as well as to tourists during the tourist season.
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