Andorra Introduces Bill to Regulate New Pharmacy Openings with Population and Distance Rules

The Andorran government has introduced a bill to regulate new pharmacy openings, setting population and distance criteria to prevent oversaturation and ensure equitable distribution across parishes.

Health Minister Helena Mas and Carme Pallarés, head of health resources, presented the project on Thursday. It updates regulations dating back to 1977, developed in collaboration with the College of Pharmacists. Andorra currently has 57 pharmacies, a figure the ministry views as stable and appropriate for national needs, equivalent to around 70 pharmacies per 100,000 inhabitants—higher than Spain's 47 or France's 31, though models vary.

New pharmacies must meet a minimum ratio of 2,350 inhabitants per establishment and a 60-metre distance from existing ones, provided the population criterion is satisfied. Structural requirements include at least 70 square metres, or 90 with a magisterial formula laboratory; these do not apply retroactively to current outlets.

The bill introduces territorial planning based on existing pharmacies as a baseline. If one closes, a replacement may open under the new rules, but the baseline reduces after five years without a successor. Parishes like Encamp, Ordino, and La Massana could accommodate additional outlets in main villages, subject to criteria. Andorra la Vella, with 27 pharmacies for 21,496 residents (one per 796 inhabitants), shows concentration in commercial areas. Exceptions apply in oversupplied parish seats, including Andorra la Vella, Escaldes-Engordany, Santa Coloma, and Pas de la Casa: new openings there must be over 500 metres from saturated zones and in residential areas. In other settlements, they require more than one kilometre separation and coverage for at least 1,500 residents.

Online sales will be limited to non-prescription medicines; prescription drugs cannot be promoted or offered on pharmacy websites, though technical sheets may be consulted. Prices for prescription items remain fixed and regulated.

The bill establishes sanctions: minor infractions from €300 to €3,000; serious from €3,001 to €20,000; very serious from €20,001 to €200,000, with possible temporary or permanent closure in severe cases, such as selling unauthorised medicines or endangering health. Professional disqualification falls under separate health professions rules.

Mas emphasised promoting equitable pharmacy access, avoiding massified or underserved areas while strengthening the community pharmacist's role.