In a statement, the AFP said it is closely monitoring the proposed change to the minimum service requirements and pharmacy opening hours, recognizing the importance of "adapting the sector's response to the current reality of the healthcare system," including coordination with public, private, and social sector emergency units.

However, it warns that the effective benefit to users and the economic and operational viability of pharmacies are "indispensable conditions" for maintaining the proximity network that provides healthcare to millions of Portuguese people every day.

This AFP position comes after it was announced over the weekend that the government intends to update the minimum criteria for pharmacies to operate outside of normal business hours, adapting their emergency response to the National Health Service (SNS), private, and social sectors.

According to newspaper Público, the new rules will require pharmacy schedules to be adapted to the organization of the SNS into Local Health Units (ULS), as well as to the existence of emergency services in the private and social sectors.

According to the newspaper, municipalities agree with the main changes but want to participate in defining the schedules, arguing that they are the ones with the most information about local needs, including festivals and events, tourist and isolated areas, and transportation schedules.

The new legislation adapts to the current situation of the healthcare system (SUS, private, and social) and incorporates changes made during the pandemic that had not yet been formalized.

For example—according to the information released—in municipalities with a population of fewer than 2,500 per pharmacy, with up to four pharmacies, and without emergency services provided by the SNS, private, or social services, at least one pharmacy must be open within two hours of the health center closing.

Clear definition

In the note released today, the AFP warns of the need for "a clear and rigorous definition" of the concepts of pharmaceutical care, distinguishing between the different types of service, to avoid ambiguities that are harmful to professionals and citizens.

It emphasizes the importance of adapting the rules to the reality of sparsely populated areas, allowing for flexible solutions that ensure greater accessibility and effectiveness, "even when the substitute pharmacy is located outside the municipality, as long as it is closer to the health unit."

The association also considers it essential to evaluate how private and social sector emergency services "can be integrated into pharmaceutical care criteria," as well as "avoid disproportionate charges that do not add value to the user," such as excessive changes to service schedules or redundant extensions of hours when coverage is already guaranteed.

It also expresses its full willingness to collaborate with the Ministry of Health and other competent authorities "in developing balanced solutions" capable of ensuring that pharmacies continue to be an essential community service, characterized by "trust, quality, and personalized attention."