According to the association, the density of pharmacies lags far behind that of other EU member states. What is the reason for that?
The number of pharmacies in Germany continues to decline. At the end of last year, the Federal Union of German Associations of Pharmacists (ABDA) still had 18,461 business premises, as announced in Berlin on Wednesday. That’s almost 300 fewer than a year earlier.
The number of self-employed pharmacists in Germany fell even more sharply – by 2.8 percent to just over 13,700. The owners are allowed to maintain up to three branches in this country, so their number is always smaller than that of the institutions.
According to the information provided, Germany is lagging behind the other EU member states in terms of pharmacy density. While the EU average is about 32 pharmacies per 100,000 inhabitants according to the ABDA, the figure in Germany is 22. According to the ABDA, the year before it was 23.
staffing issues
“More and more pharmacy owners are giving up because they have staffing problems and cannot find a successor to take over the business,” said ABDA President Gabriele Regina Overwiening. “This threatens to gradually erode the foundation of the drug supply system.”
The number of pharmacies in Germany has been falling for many years. The ABDA calls for the reduction of bureaucratic burdens, for example in the operation of pharmacies, in order to make the profession more attractive again.
Source: Stern
Jane Stock is a technology author, who has written for 24 Hours World. She writes about the latest in technology news and trends, and is always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to improve his audience’s experience.
