Millions in Germany struggle as pharmacy closures leave gaps in access

A new study by the University of Giessen has revealed serious gaps in pharmacy access across Germany. Researchers found that nearly one in five people cannot reach their nearest pharmacy on foot within 30 minutes. The report also criticises policymakers for not setting clear goals to address the problem in recent healthcare reforms. The study highlights a sharp decline in pharmacy numbers over the past decade. In 2014, Germany had 20,441 pharmacy locations, but by April 2025, that figure had dropped to 16,908. This reduction has left many communities without easy access to essential medicines.

Older residents face the greatest challenges. Over half of those aged 75 and above cannot reach a pharmacy within a 10-minute walk. Even with an hour's walk, around 6 million people—7% of the population—still lack walkable access. The situation contrasts with postal services, which are legally required to serve every municipality with more than 2,000 residents. Yet 911 towns of that size have no pharmacy at all. Pharmacists' associations have repeatedly warned that closures are making care harder to access. Health insurers, however, have downplayed the concerns. They argue that existing studies show pharmacies remain within reasonable distance for most people.

The findings suggest that millions of Germans now struggle to reach pharmacies on foot. With no clear policy targets in place, the gap between available services and public need appears likely to widen. The study calls for stronger measures to ensure fair access to medicines nationwide.