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FIP’s latest global report on community pharmacy published

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The Hague • 23 July 2021

Scope of community pharmacy practice and the sector’s regulation, distribution of medicines and remuneration are among the aspects explored in a new report published by the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) today. The report presents data from 79 countries that took part in a detailed survey between November 2020 and January 2021, giving the most up-to-date snapshot of the state of community pharmacy around the world.


“Community pharmacy global report 2021” builds on FIP’s previous (2016) report. Findings include a 12.1% increase in the average density of community pharmacists per 10,000 population (since 2016), currently at 5.19 (n=42), and an 11.2% increase in the number of community pharmacies per 10,000 population, currently at 2.78 (n=50).

“The global community pharmacy landscape is in constant evolution, with influencing factors including changing needs, emerging technologies and trends in regulation and self-care, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic. This continued research and sharing of knowledge by FIP is important in order for us to ensure that community pharmacy is well-prepared to serve our populations in the future, to indicate what and where the shortfalls are, and to set directions for work. This new FIP report is most valuable — together with the FIP Development Goals it provides inspiration for the transformation of pharmacy in a changing healthcare and consumer context,” said Mr Lars-Åke Söderlund, president, FIP Community Pharmacy Section.


The 2021 report raises concerns over access to community pharmacies and pharmacists, and patient safety in some regions. For example, in general, low-income countries were found to have less than one pharmacy per 10,000 population. “Low access to pharmacies can translate to difficulties in having timely access to medicines and the professional services of pharmacists, and ensuring responsible use of medicines,” Mr Söderlund explained. Africa, the Eastern Mediterranean and South-East Asia reported a higher frequency of non-prescription medicines being sold outside community pharmacies, with a likely lack of professional advice and no guarantee of quality assurance.

Furthermore, in the African and South-East Asian regions, the ratio between pharmacists and pharmacies is below 1, suggesting that some pharmacies are operating without a pharmacist. The European region and high- and middle-income countries have seen an increase in this indicator, but other regions have seen a decrease, suggesting an uneven evolution of workforce capacity around the world.

In terms of expanded scope of community pharmacy services, Mr Söderlund said that a high ratio of pharmacists per pharmacy is a driver for implementing additional services and better patient care. Services such as dispensing emergency contraception or prescription renewals for patients with chronic conditions are present in more than 50% of the countries and territories surveyed (n=79). Services such as home deliveries (68%), home care and medicines review (51%) and the provision of medicines to care or nursing homes (54%) are likely to have increased during the pandemic, the report authors write. They add that although disease screening services are provided by pharmacies in some countries, more focus on these is needed — as of December 2020, only 18% had pharmacies performing COVID-19 testing and 19% HIV testing.

In relation to remuneration models, the report indicates that product-based remuneration is still the most common model around the world and that in 57% of countries (n=37), pharmacies are remunerated via multiple contractual agreements. “This may lead to greater complexity but may offer greater flexibility for achieving remuneration for services. However, the low number of service-based remuneration models may limit service delivery and FIP will continue to advocate remuneration of services by third-party payers,” he added.

The full report is available to FIP member organisations only but an executive summary (“Community pharmacy at a glance 2021”) is accessible by all.


Notes for editors

Images Infographics from the report are available to download here.

About FIP The International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) is the global federation of national associations of pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists, and is in official relations with the World Health Organization. Through our 146 member organisations, we represent over four million practitioners and scientists around the world. Our vision is a world where everyone benefits from access to safe, effective, quality and affordable medicines and pharmaceutical care. www.fip.org

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Lin-Nam Wang
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