Skip to main content Skip to the footer

About us

«We believe in a pharmacy that is ever closer, more innovative, reliable and fully integrated into the healthcare system.» 

Ema Paulino, President of the Board of ANF

The National Association of Pharmacies (ANF), founded in 1975, represents the owners of community pharmacies in Portugal. It currently has more than 2,700 member pharmacies, which corresponds to around 94% of all community pharmacies in the country.

The Association works daily in favour of the continuous development of community pharmacies and the practice of the profession, anticipating trends and leading the implementation of innovative solutions that enable pharmacies to improve the health and well-being journey of the population and strengthen the union between pharmacies and society.

Its areas of intervention extend to the political, associative, professional, business, economic and financial spheres, as well as social and cultural responsibility, in order to position community pharmacies as essential partners in the design and implementation of public health policies.

In addition to its national headquarters in Lisbon, ANF has two regional offices: one in the north, in Porto, and another in the centre, in Coimbra.

Learn about the ANF's main historical milestones:

Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the ANF: visit the website

2025

Creation of the system for dispensing hospital medicines in proximity

2024

Publication of the " Portuguese Pharmacies’ White Book"

Integration in the national seasonal vaccination campaign against flu and COVID-19

2023

More than 13 million rapid COVID-19 diagnostic tests carried out in collaboration with the SNS

2021

Petition "Save Pharmacies, Fulfill the SNS", signed by more than 120,000 people

2019

Start of the Abem Programme: of the Dignitude Association

2016

ANF is a promoting associate in the creation of the Dignitude Association

2015

Agreement between ANF and the Ministry of Health to implement Public Health services in pharmacies and create incentives to dispense generics

2014

Magna Assembly of Pharmacy with more than six thousand people, at Campo Pequeno

2012

Setting up of HMR

2009

Launch of the "Farmácias Portuguesas" brand and setting up of Glintt

2008

Finanfarma starts operating and vaccination begins in pharmacies

2007

Acquisition of the majority stake in the Portuguese subsidiary of the Alliance Unichem group (now Aliance Healthcare)

2005

Setting up of the Member Support Department (DAA)

2000

Acquisition of Consiste

Setting up of the Health in Dialogue Platform, of which the ANF is a promoting member

1998

Acquisition of 30% of José Mello Saúde

1997

Inauguration of the ANF's current headquarters and the Pharmacy Museum in Lisbon

1996

Establishment of CEFAR (Centre for Health Studies and Evaluation)

1994

Establishment of LEF (Laboratory for Pharmaceutical Studies)

1992

Agreement with the Ministry of Health and the Environment

1988

Creation of CEDIME (Medicines Documentation and Information Centre)

1984

Creation of the ANF Training Department, which gave rise to EPGSG (Postgraduate School in Health and Management)

1983

1st National Pharmacy Congress

1981

Foundation of the National Pharmacy Association

1975

This website stores cookies on your computer. These cookies are used to collect information about how you interact with our site and allow us to remember your preferences. We use this information to improve and personalize your browsing experience. To learn more, please see our Cookie Policy.