Number of pharmacies in Germany drops to lowest point in nearly 50 years
Germany's pharmacy count fell to 16,601 at the end of 2025, the lowest figure in almost half a century, with 440 closures attributed to economic pressures.
The number of pharmacies in Germany continued its decline, reaching 16,601 operating units by the end of 2025. This represents a decrease of 440 pharmacies, or 2.6 percent, compared to the previous year. Throughout 2025, 502 pharmacies closed while only 62 new ones opened, according to data from ABDA, the German Association of Pharmacists.
This figure marks the lowest pharmacy count since 1977, when there were 16,374 pharmacies across East and West Germany combined. The persistent decline is linked to the remuneration system for pharmacies, which has seen minimal adjustments since a fixed packaging fee was introduced 22 years ago. A slight increase in 2013 did little to counteract rising costs, leading to a 19.7 percent reduction in pharmacy numbers since then.
ABDA President Thomas Preis stated that the dwindling number of pharmacies forces patients to travel further for medication, posing significant challenges for the elderly, immobile, or those in remote areas, especially during adverse weather conditions. While pharmacy delivery services offer some support, they cannot fully replace the essential role of a physical pharmacy. He cautioned that each closure weakens the resilience of the nation's healthcare and pharmaceutical supply.
Preis further highlighted the economic strain on pharmacies, noting a 65 percent increase in operating costs since 2013, while the fixed remuneration has remained largely stagnant. Despite a coalition agreement in May 2025 outlining an increase in the pharmacy fee to €9.50, ABDA expressed strong criticism that this proposed increase has been excluded from the current pharmacy reform plans.