Study on the Value of Portugal’s Pharmacy Network highlighted at the 84th FIP World Congress

The main findings of the “Study on the Value of Portugal’s Pharmacy Network”, which highlight the contribution of community pharmacies to people, the healthcare system, the economy and the environment, were in the spotlight this Tuesday at the 84th edition of the FIP World Congress, taking place in Montreal, Canada, until September 2, under the theme “One Health, One Pharmacy – Bridging science, practice and education”.

«The pharmacy network in Portugal is a nationwide network and a first point of access for patients», said ANF president Ema Paulino during a panel sharing the realities of Portugal and Norway, where she presented the study.

In Portugal, the extensive geographical coverage of the network is essential to ensuring people’s access to healthcare. 82% of Portuguese people live within five kilometres of a pharmacy, a level of proximity which, combined with people’s trust and the skills of pharmacy teams, translates into high demand for pharmaceutical services and advice. In 2025, the network recorded 174.3 million patient visits, more than 550,000 per working day, and supported around 477,000 cases of minor health conditions, resolving 97.8% of cases in the pharmacy.

The president also highlighted the essential contribution of pharmacies to the environment, through significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, as well as to territorial cohesion and both the national and local economies. «The pharmacy network promotes territorial cohesion across the country. Where access to health centres is more limited, pharmacies tend to play a greater economic role at local level», she noted.

The Association’s participation in the world’s largest gathering of the pharmacy profession, and in particular the presentation of the Nova SBE study, provided an opportunity to share evidence with partners and representatives of pharmacists and pharmacies from several countries on the value generated by the community pharmacy network in Portugal.

In parallel, ANF endorsed the Montreal Declaration, focusing on non-communicable diseases. The document reaffirms FIP and its members’ commitment to strengthening the contribution of community pharmacy to the prevention and management of non-communicable diseases, considered one of the greatest global health challenges.