Apoteket
Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox company Apoteket AB is a state-owned pharmaceuticals retailer in Sweden which formerly held a monopoly on the retail sale of medicines in the country. Formerly known as Apoteksbolaget, the company is a government owned enterprise reporting to the Ministry of Finance.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
History
The company was founded in 1970 under the name Apoteksbolaget AB.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 1998 the name was changed to the current one, Apoteket AB.<ref>Template:Cite encyclopedia Template:Subscription required</ref>
On 1 July 2009, the government monopoly was lifted, allowing the opening of private pharmacies in Sweden.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The Swedish government cited the fact of Sweden being the only democracy, along with Cuba and North Korea, to retain its monopoly as an argument for its abolishment.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>