Konrad Proczek, Szymon Piotr Świątek

The impact of the Pharmaceutical Law on pharmacy availability in Poland in 2003–2022

2025-01-14

Research’s subject. In 2017, the Polish Parliament introduced an amendment to the Pharmaceutical Law Act, modifying regulations regarding the establishment of community pharmacies and pharmacy points. These changes led to a decrease in the availability of pharmacies, limiting the number of pharmacies an owner could operate to a maximum of four. Additionally, the law imposed strict conditions and restrictions on pharmacy owners, exacerbating the pharmaceutical market crisis in Poland.

Research’s aim. The aim of the study was to analyze differences in the distribution and number of pharmacies and pharmacists in Poland over time, with a particular focus on the period before and after the legislative changes in 2017.

Material and method. Public data from the Local Data Bank of the Central Statistical Office of Poland were used for analysis. The study covered the number of pharmacies, pharmacists, and pharmacy points, as well as changes and trends in these metrics between 2003 and 2022 across 380 counties.

Results. Since 2017, 80% of Polish counties have recorded strong or very strong downward trends in the number of pharmacies and pharmacists, with only 11% showing upward trends. In 2022, the average number of pharmacies and pharmacists per 10,000 inhabitants was 3.5 and 6.5, respectively. Density indicators also declined, with averages of 30 pharmacists per 100 km² and 2.35 pharmacies per 100 km². The number of pharmacists per pharmacy decreased from 2.7 in 2017 to 2.3 in 2022. This trend suggests a potential 25% reduction in the number of pharmacists and pharmacies by 2030.

Conclusions. Almost three-quarters of Polish counties face challenges resulting from the 2017 amendment to the Pharmaceutical Law Act. Most rural areas lack sufficient pharmacies and pharmacists to meet residents’ needs. The highest pharmacy availability is observed in voivodeship capitals, cities with county rights, and western regions of the country.

The legislative restrictions have significantly affected the balance between urban and rural areas, with rural regions particularly disadvantaged. The findings underline the need for immediate action to address the consequences of these changes, such as introducing incentives for pharmacists in underserved areas, revising the current law to allow more flexibility, and adopting modern solutions like telepharmacy to ensure equitable access to pharmacies nationwide. Without intervention, the disparity in pharmaceutical availability may deepen, leading to further declines in service quality and access.

Keywords: pharmacy law, community pharmacy, pharmacy availability, pharmacists.

© Farm Pol, 2024, 80(8): 523–534