Latvian residents consider pharmacists / day to be the most affordable healthcare professional
Significantly fewer or 12% have recognized a nurse or doctor’s assistant as the most affordable healthcare professional. Another 7 % of respondents believe that emergency medical specialists are the most affordable, while 6 % of the population is assessed by doctors, such as a surgeon and cardiologist.
“The pharmacist is an indispensable phase of healthcare in conditions of the Great Works and Restricted Family Physicians, especially in the regions of Latvia. The role of the pharmacist is becoming more important, as it is no secret that the absolute most people mention long queues for public health care as the main problem in the health care system. And to help people here and now, it is important to strengthen the role of the pharmacist in the care system, providing them with a remote pharmacist for advice.
According to the data, the pharmacist is perceived as an important and available health care phase in all groups of society, especially among women, where 48% of respondents pointed out the pharmacist as the most affordable. Pharmacists are also highly appreciated in different age groups – for example, 49% of the population from the age of 50-59 is considered to be the most affordable help for health issues. The pharmacist does not replace the doctor, but one can assess what situations are when treatment can be treated without additional consultation and it is imperative to seek medical attention.
The availability of pharmacists in health care is highlighted by those living in Zemgale – they consider 58 %as the most accessible medical professional, for comparison in Kurzeme it is indicated by 48 %of respondents, and in Latgale, Vidzeme and Riga on average 40 %.
More than 750 pharmacists and pharmacist assistants work at the Moon Pharmacy, both 24 -hour pharmacies and pharmacies with drug production, as well as in small pharmacy regions, as well as pharmacies in shopping centers and medical facilities.
A representative population survey, in cooperation with the study agency Norstat, was conducted in April 2025 throughout Latvia, surveying 1429 people aged 18 to 74.
