Continued Decline of Pharmacies in Germany in Early 2025

The number of pharmacies in Germany continues to decline, with the first quarter of 2025 showing no signs of improvement. Recent data indicates that the total count of pharmacies in the country fell by 530 last year, leaving only 17,041 pharmacies operational--the lowest number since 1978.

An inquiry by the Pharmaceutical Newspaper has revealed ongoing closures across nearly all federal states. For instance, as of March 31, 2025, Bremen had 123 pharmacies, witnessing one closure and one new opening in the first quarter. In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the number has decreased to 358, with two closures and no new openings reported. Westfalen-Lippe is down to 1,644 pharmacies, with twelve closures and two openings during the same period.

Berlin's pharmacy count stands at 682. The capital has experienced five closures and no new establishments since the start of the year. In Hessen, the number of pharmacies is at 1,298, with five closures and no openings reported in the first quarter. Similarly, Sachsen-Anhalt has 546 pharmacies, facing ten closures and zero new operations. Sachsen has 875 pharmacies, reporting five closures and no new openings. In Saarland, the count remains stable at 255 pharmacies, with no changes in the first quarter. Bavaria, however, has seen 26 closures and five new openings, bringing the total to 2,676 pharmacies.

This persistent decline paints a worrying picture across all federal states. Experts are calling for immediate government action to stabilize the economic conditions of pharmacies and enhance their compensation. Measures to make pharmacy acquisitions or new establishments more appealing are also deemed necessary.

The importance of pharmacies as vital health service providers cannot be overstated. They serve as essential, accessible points for pharmaceutical advice, preventive care, and comprehensive health services for the public. The role of pharmacies as community health competence centers integrated within urban landscapes is critical.

There is some hope for improvement, as the incoming government is considering measures to alleviate the financial burdens on pharmacies. Negotiators from the health and care working group have proposed increasing the fixed fee for pharmacies to EUR9.50 and lifting the cap on discounts. However, it remains uncertain if these proposals will be included in the coalition agreement or implemented in the upcoming legislative period.