Health. "An encouraging dynamic": the number of pharmacists is at its highest in ten years, but...

This is an "encouraging dynamic": with 75,080 pharmacists as of January ^1, 2025, the profession has reached its highest level in ten years. Over this period, the number of pharmacists registered with the Order has increased by 2.7%, says the National Order of Pharmacists . Community pharmacists represent the majority of this figure, which also includes hospital pharmacists, biologists, those working in industry or in distribution.

This momentum is driven in particular by a significant increase in the number of new members of the Order, which has grown by 15.3% in ten years. Among them, "8.1% completed their studies abroad, including more than 90% within the European Economic Area or Switzerland," the Order specifies.

Another encouraging element: this increase in numbers is combined with a decrease in the median age from 47 to 45 years and a widening of the age pyramid. In 2024, 60.6% of pharmacists will be under 50, five points more than in 2014. This suggests a "gradual rejuvenation of the profession" and "suggests the beginning of a generational renewal," estimates the Order. And this while the number of pharmacists over 60 continues to grow (it rose from 13.6% in 2014 to 18.4% in 2024).

This increase and gradual rejuvenation of the workforce comes at a time when the National Order of Pharmacists has been rolling out a roadmap for three years to improve the attractiveness of the profession.

Despite these positive signals, "causes of concern persist." The number of licensed pharmacists is down 1.3% in 2024 compared to 2023, linked to the decline in the number of pharmacies. 260 closures were recorded in 2024. In ten years, nearly 10% of pharmacies have disappeared.

Other sectors of the profession are also still struggling to attract talent. As of January ¹ , the National Management Center also noted that there were 17% vacancies for hospital pharmacy practitioners. The number of medical biologists has declined by more than 10% over ten years. And at the start of the 2024 academic year, 293 vacancies were available in second ^- year pharmacy programs. This is despite the pharmacists' range of skills continuing to expand.