85 / 188
Health systems in transition
Portugal
85
As for the number of pharmacies, the overall distribution and density of
facilities, including extensions and drug stores, in the country seems to be
balanced (Table 4.4). The distribution of pharmacies throughout the country is
highly regulated (see section 5.6). A study commissioned by the Pharmacists’
Association (
Ordem dos Farmacêuticos
) shows that existing regulations have
been complied with, ensuring that a good coverage of the country exists
(Rodrigues et al., 2006).
Table 4.4
Number of pharmacies and pharmacy extensions, by region and district, 2014
District
Pharmacies
Pharmacy
extensions
Drug
stores
Number of
facilities
Inhabitants
per pharmacy
Portugal
2 772
175
1 010
3 957
3 561
North
Braga
182
1
69
252
4 613
Bragança
41
0
11
52
3 166
Oporto
433
3
160
596
4 131
Viana Castelo
65
3
21
89
3 661
Vila Real
70
3
13
86
2 838
Total
791
10
274
1 075
4 039
Centre
Aveiro
191
1
60
252
3 680
Castelo Branco
64
12
20
96
2 919
Coimbra
152
8
47
207
2 728
Guarda
58
11
22
91
2 625
Leiria
135
12
44
191
3 423
Viseu
114
15
49
178
3 208
Total
714
59
242
1 015
3 200
Lisbon and
the Tagus
Valley
Lisbon
648
4
217
869
3 450
Santarém
144
20
58
222
3 068
Setúbal
203
1
71
275
4 199
Total
995
25
346
1 366
3 547
Alentejo
Beja
56
16
18
90
2 630
Évora
61
26
13
100
2 621
Portalegre
45
32
9
86
2 491
Total
162
74
40
276
2 588
Algarve
Faro
110
7
108
225
4 013
Total
110
7
108
225
4 013
Source
: INFARMED, 2015.