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Berlin – The number of pharmacies in Germany continues to fall – and has reached a low point. There are currently 17,288 pharmacies nationwide, according to data from the Federal Association of German Pharmacists (ABDA).

Since the beginning of the year, the number has fallen by 283. In the previous year, the number of pharmacies shrank by 238, and in the first half of 2022 by 205.

According to the information, there are only 21 pharmacies per 100,000 inhabitants. In the federal capital Berlin, the pharmacy density of 19 is even far below the European average (32).

“More and more pharmacies are closing because they lack economic prospects,” said Hans-Peter Hubmann, chairman of the German Pharmacists Association (DAV). In addition, setting up a pharmacy is becoming increasingly unattractive for young pharmaceutical professionals. In the first half of 2023, there were only 24 newly established pharmacies.

The last time pharmacy fees were increased was in 2013 by three percent. Since then, inflation has risen by almost 30 percent, and pharmacy operating costs have climbed by around 60 percent, said Hubmann. The association is therefore calling for a further increase in fees for the approximately 160,000 employees and an adjustment to inflation. © dpa/aerzteblatt.de