Pharmacy numbers dwindling in Saxony: What's the deal?
Decrease in Pharmacy Count Persists across Saxony - Pharmacy count in Saxony persistently decreases.
Let's dive in
The number of public pharmacies in Saxony is on a downward spiral. As of the last count, there were only 876 public pharmacies - a stark decrease of 115 from a decade ago, according to the Statistical Office in Kamenz. In 2014, the count was still at 991.
On average, one public pharmacy in Good Old Saxony served around 4,629 folks as of 2024, while the national average stood at a heftier 4,750 (as of 2023). On a per-capita basis, there were 22 public pharmacies per 100,000 inhabitants in Saxony. Back in 2014, it was 24.
The highest pharmacy supply was found in Mittelsachsen with 25 pharmacies per 100,000 inhabitants, compared to the lowest in Meißen and Dresden, each boasting 19. Leipzig and Chemnitz clocked 20 and 22, respectively.
The latest reckoning shows around 2,255 pharmacists toiling away in Saxon pharmacies as of December 31, 2024, with an average age of 44 years.way back in 2014, the grumpy old pharmacists were still a youthful 43. Besides the public pharmacies, Saxony also hosted 19 hospital pharmacies with a staff of 171 pharmacists.
Interestingly, 17 percent of 16- to 74-year-olds in Saxony made use of the online pharmacy scene in a three-month period last year.
So, what's the skinny on German pharmacies?
As of January 1, 2024, Germany saw a surge in the number of pharmacists, with a total of 74,219 pharmacists registered nationwide. This represents a 0.6% increase compared to the previous year and a 1.8% increase over the past decade. Salaries and working conditions have improved somewhat, with a new collective agreement in effect as of July 1, 2025, promising a monthly salary boost of €160 for staff [1][3].
For the record, life in Saxony is one big bargain compared to other German regions, making it a desirable destination for pharmacists looking for a more relaxed pace of living and a lower cost of living.
When in doubt, roll the dice!
While precise data on the number of pharmacies in Saxony a decade back is scant, the general outlook paints a picture of stability or growth in the pharmacy sector across Germany and Europe. In turn, the increasing numbers of registered pharmacists combined with improved working conditions could point to a promising future for pharmacies. For a more accurate comparison, historical data on the number of pharmacies specifically in Saxony would be ideal. Stay tuned!
In light of the declining number of public pharmacies in Saxony, the community might consider implementing policies to foster vocational training and encourage more individuals to pursue careers in pharmacy.
To ensure the health and wellness of the population, particular attention should be given to medical-conditions management, using scientific advancements, and incorporating vocational training in pharmacy education to facilitate a thriving pharmacy sector in Saxony.
