Community pharmacies represent one of the most accessible healthcare infrastructures in Europe. More than 500,000 pharmacists work in approximately 200,000 pharmacies, serving over 500 million people across the continent.

Against this backdrop, the Pharmaceutical Group of the European Union (PGEU) released a document titled “A Vision for Community Pharmacy in Europe,” outlining a new vision for the community pharmacy of the future.

Growing Pressure on Health Systems

European healthcare systems face significant pressure due to an aging population, chronic diseases, and drug shortages, and citizens increasingly demand more accessible and personalized care.

In this context, pharmacies function as integrated healthcare centers, combining local presence, clinical expertise, preventative care, and digital innovation to meet patients’ needs.

Their role has become particularly visible during the COVID pandemic. Pharmacies serve as trusted first points of contact for patients, helping maintain continuity of care, countering health misinformation, and supporting public health interventions.

Expanding Clinical Roles

Community pharmacists now provide services beyond the dispensing of medications. These include promoting safe medication use, supporting treatment adherence, delivering vaccination and prevention services, managing minor ailments, monitoring chronic diseases, and guiding complex therapies.

Many of these services are provided without appointments and are often outside standard healthcare hours.

With proper policy support, the PGEU has suggested that pharmacy services be expanded further. Potential developments include structured screening programs, protocol-based prescribing, pharmacogenomic counseling, and close collaboration between physicians and other healthcare professionals, particularly in the rural or underserved areas of the country.

Patient-Centered Services

“Through our network of pharmacies, we offer accessible and reliable healthcare at the heart of every community,” said Mikołaj Konstanty, PhD, PharmD, the current PGEU President.

According to Konstanty, integrating community pharmacies more fully into primary care strategies, digital health systems, and crisis preparedness frameworks can strengthen prevention, improve continuity of care, and enhance the resilience of the healthcare system.

The PGEU vision places strong emphasis on patient-centered pharmacy services.

Structural Challenges

In recent years, structural vulnerabilities such as drug shortages, fragmented digital infrastructure, and pressure on pharmacy staff have become evident.

Pharmacists often spend substantial time managing supply disruptions and administrative tasks, which can limit the time available for direct patient care.

The PGEU stated that addressing these challenges requires coordinated policy action at both the national and European levels.

Key Initiatives for the Future

The PGEU highlighted the key initiatives in its new vision to unlock the full potential of community pharmacies:

• Safe, continuous, and person-centered care: Community pharmacies ensure access to medicines and provide reliable, personalized advice to support safe and effective treatment.
• Pharmacies as integrated health centers: These offer prevention, screening, and vaccination as part of routine care, especially in communities with limited access to other health services.
• Clinical excellence and expanded skills: Pharmacists serve as frontline clinical experts, manage minor conditions, and support continuity of care in collaboration with other healthcare professionals.
• Crisis preparedness: Pharmacies form a decentralized and reliable network that supports medicine supply, screening, and public health responses during emergencies.
• A strong and future-ready workforce: A skilled and motivated pharmaceutical workforce is supported through fair compensation, modern education, and clear career development pathways.
• Digital transformation with a human focus: Digital tools enable safer and more connected care and allow pharmacists to spend more time with patients.
• Economic resilience: Sustainable financing models recognize the full value of pharmaceutical services and support long-term investment in care and innovation.
• Environmentally responsible practices: Responsible use of medicines and the adoption of sustainable practices help protect public health and the environment.

This story was translated from Univadis Spain, part of the Medscape Professional Network.