Wiesbaden (dpa/lhe) – According to the association, the number of pharmacies in Hesse has fallen further this year. At the end of September there were 1,344 pharmacies nationwide, which is 45 fewer than at the end of 2022 and 14 fewer stores than at the end of June this year. “The largest decline in pharmacies in the history of the Federal Republic continues unabated,” said a spokesman for the Hessian Pharmacists’ Association in response to a dpa query. “As of December 31, 2021, we still had 1,412 pharmacies nationwide.”
The dwindling numbers jeopardized the legally anchored supply of medicines close to home. “Pharmacies are currently closing in Wiesbaden, Frankfurt and Offenbach as well as in rural areas,” explained the spokesman.
It is currently simply unattractive for young pharmacists to open or take over a pharmacy. The remuneration has been virtually unchanged for 20 years, despite inflation, rising collective wages, higher rental prices and increased energy costs.
“In addition, there are cash discounts, increasing bureaucracy, a shortage of skilled workers, enormous additional effort due to the catastrophic delivery bottlenecks and much more,” the spokesman added. He announced another day of protest by pharmacies with nationwide closures on November 15th. “The federal government must act now and sustainably strengthen local community pharmacies.”
© dpa-infocom, dpa:231029-99-744556/2
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