Pharmacy Shortage in Saxony: A Persistent Conundrum
Pharmacy count in Saxony persistently decreases. - Pharmacy count in Saxony continues to decrease
The count of public pharmacies in Saxony keeps dipping. As the Statistical Office in Kamenz reported, by the end of last year, there were only 876 – that’s 115 fewer compared to a decade ago. If we glance back to 2014, the number still stood at a healthier 991.
On a per-capita basis, an average public pharmacy in this free state catered to approximately 4,629 individuals in 2024. Across the nation, this figure was 4,750 according to data from 2023. With 22 public pharmacies per 100,000 inhabitants, Saxony lagged slightly behind this national average. In 2014, it boasted 24 public pharmacies for the same 100,000 residents.
Mittelsachsen region topped the supply chart with 25 pharmacies per 100,000 inhabitants, whereas Meißen, Dresden, Leipzig, and Chemnitz followed closely, each with between 19 and 22 pharmacies.
In total, roughly 2,255 pharmacists were employed in Saxon pharmacies by December 31, 2024. Their average age was an even 44 years, slightly older compared to a decade ago (43 years). In addition to public pharmacies, the state also hosted 19 hospital pharmacies with 171 pharmacists.
Interestingly, 17% of 16- to 74-year-olds in the state took advantage of online platforms to procure medications or dietary supplements during a three-month reference period in the previous year.
- Pharmacy
- Saxony
- Kamenz
[1] Note: This decline in the number of public pharmacies may be the result of various factors such as demographic changes, economic pressures, and regulatory hurdles. However, specific data explaining the reasons for this decline in Saxony is hard to pinpoint from available resources.
For a precise analysis of the number of pharmacies per 100,000 inhabitants in each district, you would need the district-specific population data and the exact number of pharmacies in each district. The calculation involves dividing the number of pharmacies in each district by the population of that district, then multiplying by 100,000 to obtain the number of pharmacies per 100,000 inhabitants. But without proper demographic information and the pharmacy data for each district, this calculation cannot be completed accurately.
- In an effort to alleviate the pharmacy shortage in Saxony, community policy could be implemented to encourage vocational training programs for aspiring pharmacists, thus increasing the workforce and addressing the current deficit.
- To ensure the holistic health and wellness of the community, medical-conditions should be treated with the integration of science and vocational training for pharmacy professionals, thus enabling them to provide the best care possible for various conditions.
