Research projects

As part of the ongoing debate on a possible reform of Germany's pharmacy system, policymakers are considering introducing special provisions or regulatory exemptions for regions classified as underserved. One current indicator of such undersupply is the road distance from a given area to the nearest community pharmacy. To assess the potential impacts of the proposed reform, detailed information on these underserved areas is required.

On behalf of the ABDA – Federal Union of German Associations of Pharmacists (ABDA – Bundesvereinigung Deutscher Apothekerverbände e.V.), this research project aims to identify areas underserved by community pharmacies using spatial analysis based on openly available geospatial data. In addition, the population living within these underserved areas will be estimated. By applying quantitative spatial analysis, the project enables the precise identification of underserved areas, thereby strengthening the scientific basis for evidence-informed decision-making aimed at reducing disparities in access to pharmacy services.