ZAGREB, 16 Sept (Hina) – Croatia’s first floating pharmacy was handed over to Zadar County on Tuesday, giving residents of 12 islands in the Adriatic archipelago regular access to medicines and pharmaceutical services.

County head Josip Bilaver said Zadar was the first and so far only county in Croatia to introduce such a service, calling it a “major step” in ensuring equal access to healthcare for islanders who previously had no pharmacy.

The €3 million project is part of Croatia’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan. The first vessel, a 9.8-metre boat built by shipyard Brodogradnja Pičuljan on the island of Rab, is equipped with medical and office facilities, an IT system and solar panels. A second vessel is expected in two weeks.

The mobile pharmacy will visit Rivanj, Sestrunj, Ošljak, Ist, Molat, Silba, Olib, Premuda, Zverinac, Iž, Rava and Vrgada, with schedules adapted to residents and tourists.