Cofares and Ranfe address pharmacy's role in aging population

Cofares and the Royal National Academy of Pharmacy of Spain (Ranfe) have highlighted the critical role of community pharmacies and pharmaceutical distribution in addressing the challenges of chronic illness and an aging population. During a debate organized under the ‘Chair for Scientific Diffusion and Dissemination in the Field of Health’, experts addressed the demographic shift in Spain, where over 10 million people—more than 20% of the population—are aged 65 or older.

To manage this transition, experts emphasized the expanding healthcare functions of community pharmacies, including supporting patients with chronic conditions, providing health education, monitoring pharmacotherapy, and improving treatment adherence. Cofares also stressed the necessity of efficient pharmaceutical distribution to ensure equitable access to medication and continuity of care. The distributor currently operates 48 centers across Spain and plans to add three new facilities to maintain a safety stock within one hour of pharmacies.