GITNUXREPORT 2025

Pharmacist Industry Statistics

Pharmacist industry expanding rapidly with technology and global healthcare demands.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

About 55% of pharmacists report providing health screenings or health checks in their practice, reflecting expanded roles

Statistic 2

The global pharmaceutical market was valued at approximately $1.4 trillion in 2022

Statistic 3

The United States accounts for about 45% of the global pharmaceutical sales

Statistic 4

The pharmacy sector is expected to grow by 6% from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations

Statistic 5

Telepharmacy services increased by over 50% during the COVID-19 pandemic

Statistic 6

Approximately 65% of pharmacy prescriptions are filled electronically in the US

Statistic 7

The global market for pharmacy management systems is projected to reach $4.5 billion by 2027

Statistic 8

The use of big data analytics in pharmacy has grown at an annual rate of 20%, improving personalized medicine

Statistic 9

The market for specialty pharmacies is expected to grow at an annual rate of 8% through 2028, due to increased demand for complex medications

Statistic 10

The global demand for over-the-counter (OTC) medicines is expected to reach $134 billion by 2025, driving pharmacy sales

Statistic 11

The pharmacy benefit management (PBM) sector manages over 265 million lives in the US, influencing drug pricing and formulary decisions

Statistic 12

The use of blockchain technology in pharmacy supply chains is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 44% through 2026, enhancing security and transparency

Statistic 13

Virtual and remote patient monitoring services are increasingly integrated into pharmacy practice to improve medication adherence, with a projected growth rate of 12% annually

Statistic 14

The number of pharmacy pharmacy schools worldwide has increased by more than 15% since 2010, reflecting growing global demand for pharmacy professionals

Statistic 15

The global market for pharmacy automation is expected to reach $4 billion by 2025, driven by need for efficiency and accuracy

Statistic 16

The use of artificial intelligence in pharmacy is projected to grow at a CAGR of 20% through 2027, aiding in drug discovery and personalized medicine

Statistic 17

The number of chronic disease medications dispensed through pharmacies has increased by 35% over the past decade, reflecting aging populations

Statistic 18

The pharmacy industry is investing heavily in digital health solutions, with over $10 billion invested globally in the last five years

Statistic 19

Approximately 50% of pharmacies now offer point-of-care testing and diagnostics, expanding their role in immediate healthcare delivery

Statistic 20

The incidence of medication non-adherence is estimated at 50%, costing the US healthcare system over $100 billion annually, prompting greater pharmacy involvement in adherence programs

Statistic 21

The expansion of pharmacy services into mental health is accelerating, with over 40% of pharmacies offering some mental health support services

Statistic 22

The global pharmacy retail market is projected to reach $1.2 trillion by 2028, driven by increasing health awareness and aging populations

Statistic 23

The use of personalized medicine in pharmacy has increased significantly, with over 60% of new drug approvals incorporating pharmacogenomics

Statistic 24

The global market for pharmacy robotics is expected to reach $1.7 billion by 2026, driven by automation needs

Statistic 25

The adoption of virtual reality (VR) training tools in pharmacy education has increased by 30% in recent years, enhancing practical skills development

Statistic 26

Pharmacists play a crucial role in vaccine administration, with over 200 million vaccines (including COVID-19) administered by pharmacists in the US alone in 2023

Statistic 27

The adoption of automation in pharmacy operations has increased pharmacy productivity by up to 25%

Statistic 28

Globally, over 80% of pharmacies are adopting electronic health records (EHRs), improving coordination of care and medication safety

Statistic 29

The number of pharmacy-related patents filed increased by 10% annually over the past five years, indicating ongoing innovation in drug delivery and pharmacy tech

Statistic 30

There are over 300,000 licensed pharmacists in the United States as of 2023

Statistic 31

The average annual salary for pharmacists in the U.S. was $128,570 in 2022

Statistic 32

Approximately 70% of pharmacists work in community or retail pharmacies

Statistic 33

In 2022, there were around 25,000 pharmacy graduates annually in the US

Statistic 34

About 80% of pharmacists in the U.S. hold a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree

Statistic 35

The global distribution of pharmacists is uneven, with high concentrations in North America and Europe

Statistic 36

In 2022, approximately 40% of pharmacists in the US reported using compounding in their practice

Statistic 37

The majority of pharmacists (around 60%) are involved in medication therapy management (MTM)

Statistic 38

The average number of prescriptions filled per pharmacist in the US is approximately 4,000 annually

Statistic 39

The prevalence of pharmacists working in outpatient clinics is about 20%, indicating diversification of practice settings

Statistic 40

About 15% of pharmacists work in hospitals and health systems

Statistic 41

The number of pharmacy technician jobs is projected to grow 6% from 2022 to 2032, faster than average

Statistic 42

Approximately 30% of pharmacists are involved in immunization services, especially in light of COVID-19 booster campaigns

Statistic 43

Pharmacists' involvement in the management of chronic conditions like diabetes is increasing, with 75% now engaged in some form of chronic disease management

Statistic 44

About 20% of pharmacists are involved in research and clinical trials, contributing to the development of new therapies

Statistic 45

Pharmacists in community settings spend approximately 20% of their time on patient counseling, indicating a shift towards more patient-centered care

Statistic 46

The majority of pharmacy graduates (over 90%) find employment within six months of graduation, indicating strong industry demand

Statistic 47

Educating pharmacists about antimicrobial stewardship programs is increasing, with 75% now trained in antibiotic management practices

Statistic 48

The percentage of pharmacists involved in medication reconciliation at hospitals is over 65%, emphasizing their role in reducing medication errors

Statistic 49

Over 90% of new drugs approved by the FDA in the last decade have involved pharmacists in their development process, showing their integral role in pharmaceutical research

Statistic 50

The median age of practicing pharmacists globally is approximately 44 years, reflecting a mature workforce with upcoming generational shifts

Statistic 51

The rate of employment in pharmaceutical research and development for pharmacists has increased by 12% over the past five years, contributing to new drug discovery

Statistic 52

The global number of pharmacy students has grown by 20% since 2015, indicating increased workforce capacity

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Key Highlights

The global pharmaceutical market was valued at approximately $1.4 trillion in 2022
The United States accounts for about 45% of the global pharmaceutical sales
There are over 300,000 licensed pharmacists in the United States as of 2023
The average annual salary for pharmacists in the U.S. was $128,570 in 2022
Approximately 70% of pharmacists work in community or retail pharmacies
The pharmacy sector is expected to grow by 6% from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations
In 2022, there were around 25,000 pharmacy graduates annually in the US
About 80% of pharmacists in the U.S. hold a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree
The global distribution of pharmacists is uneven, with high concentrations in North America and Europe
Telepharmacy services increased by over 50% during the COVID-19 pandemic
Approximately 65% of pharmacy prescriptions are filled electronically in the US
The adoption of automation in pharmacy operations has increased pharmacy productivity by up to 25%
The global market for pharmacy management systems is projected to reach $4.5 billion by 2027

With the global pharmaceutical market soaring to an estimated $1.4 trillion in 2022 and the U.S. commanding nearly half of this value, the pharmacy industry is experiencing rapid growth driven by technological innovation, expanded roles in patient care, and emerging digital health solutions shaping its future trajectory.

Market Segments and Distribution

About 55% of pharmacists report providing health screenings or health checks in their practice, reflecting expanded roles

Market Segments and Distribution Interpretation

With over half of pharmacists now donning the hat of health check providers, the profession is clearly shifting from pill dispensers to pivotal players in patient wellness—proof that their role is truly expanding beyond the pharmacy counter.

Market Size and Growth Trends

The global pharmaceutical market was valued at approximately $1.4 trillion in 2022
The United States accounts for about 45% of the global pharmaceutical sales
The pharmacy sector is expected to grow by 6% from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations
Telepharmacy services increased by over 50% during the COVID-19 pandemic
Approximately 65% of pharmacy prescriptions are filled electronically in the US
The global market for pharmacy management systems is projected to reach $4.5 billion by 2027
The use of big data analytics in pharmacy has grown at an annual rate of 20%, improving personalized medicine
The market for specialty pharmacies is expected to grow at an annual rate of 8% through 2028, due to increased demand for complex medications
The global demand for over-the-counter (OTC) medicines is expected to reach $134 billion by 2025, driving pharmacy sales
The pharmacy benefit management (PBM) sector manages over 265 million lives in the US, influencing drug pricing and formulary decisions
The use of blockchain technology in pharmacy supply chains is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 44% through 2026, enhancing security and transparency
Virtual and remote patient monitoring services are increasingly integrated into pharmacy practice to improve medication adherence, with a projected growth rate of 12% annually
The number of pharmacy pharmacy schools worldwide has increased by more than 15% since 2010, reflecting growing global demand for pharmacy professionals
The global market for pharmacy automation is expected to reach $4 billion by 2025, driven by need for efficiency and accuracy
The use of artificial intelligence in pharmacy is projected to grow at a CAGR of 20% through 2027, aiding in drug discovery and personalized medicine
The number of chronic disease medications dispensed through pharmacies has increased by 35% over the past decade, reflecting aging populations
The pharmacy industry is investing heavily in digital health solutions, with over $10 billion invested globally in the last five years
Approximately 50% of pharmacies now offer point-of-care testing and diagnostics, expanding their role in immediate healthcare delivery
The incidence of medication non-adherence is estimated at 50%, costing the US healthcare system over $100 billion annually, prompting greater pharmacy involvement in adherence programs
The expansion of pharmacy services into mental health is accelerating, with over 40% of pharmacies offering some mental health support services
The global pharmacy retail market is projected to reach $1.2 trillion by 2028, driven by increasing health awareness and aging populations
The use of personalized medicine in pharmacy has increased significantly, with over 60% of new drug approvals incorporating pharmacogenomics
The global market for pharmacy robotics is expected to reach $1.7 billion by 2026, driven by automation needs
The adoption of virtual reality (VR) training tools in pharmacy education has increased by 30% in recent years, enhancing practical skills development
Pharmacists play a crucial role in vaccine administration, with over 200 million vaccines (including COVID-19) administered by pharmacists in the US alone in 2023

Market Size and Growth Trends Interpretation

With the pharmacy industry soaring past $1.4 trillion and embracing cutting-edge tech like AI, blockchain, and virtual reality—while filling a growing niche in mental health and personalized medicine—it's clear that pharmacists are no longer just pill counters but pivotal players in the future of healthcare delivery.

Technological Advances and Innovation

The adoption of automation in pharmacy operations has increased pharmacy productivity by up to 25%
Globally, over 80% of pharmacies are adopting electronic health records (EHRs), improving coordination of care and medication safety
The number of pharmacy-related patents filed increased by 10% annually over the past five years, indicating ongoing innovation in drug delivery and pharmacy tech

Technological Advances and Innovation Interpretation

As automation and digital innovations continue to reshape pharmacy practices—boosting productivity by 25%, with over 80% adopting EHRs for safer care, and patent filings rising 10% annually—it's clear the industry is mixing prescription with progress at an unprecedented rate.

Workforce and Employment Statistics

There are over 300,000 licensed pharmacists in the United States as of 2023
The average annual salary for pharmacists in the U.S. was $128,570 in 2022
Approximately 70% of pharmacists work in community or retail pharmacies
In 2022, there were around 25,000 pharmacy graduates annually in the US
About 80% of pharmacists in the U.S. hold a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree
The global distribution of pharmacists is uneven, with high concentrations in North America and Europe
In 2022, approximately 40% of pharmacists in the US reported using compounding in their practice
The majority of pharmacists (around 60%) are involved in medication therapy management (MTM)
The average number of prescriptions filled per pharmacist in the US is approximately 4,000 annually
The prevalence of pharmacists working in outpatient clinics is about 20%, indicating diversification of practice settings
About 15% of pharmacists work in hospitals and health systems
The number of pharmacy technician jobs is projected to grow 6% from 2022 to 2032, faster than average
Approximately 30% of pharmacists are involved in immunization services, especially in light of COVID-19 booster campaigns
Pharmacists' involvement in the management of chronic conditions like diabetes is increasing, with 75% now engaged in some form of chronic disease management
About 20% of pharmacists are involved in research and clinical trials, contributing to the development of new therapies
Pharmacists in community settings spend approximately 20% of their time on patient counseling, indicating a shift towards more patient-centered care
The majority of pharmacy graduates (over 90%) find employment within six months of graduation, indicating strong industry demand
Educating pharmacists about antimicrobial stewardship programs is increasing, with 75% now trained in antibiotic management practices
The percentage of pharmacists involved in medication reconciliation at hospitals is over 65%, emphasizing their role in reducing medication errors
Over 90% of new drugs approved by the FDA in the last decade have involved pharmacists in their development process, showing their integral role in pharmaceutical research
The median age of practicing pharmacists globally is approximately 44 years, reflecting a mature workforce with upcoming generational shifts
The rate of employment in pharmaceutical research and development for pharmacists has increased by 12% over the past five years, contributing to new drug discovery
The global number of pharmacy students has grown by 20% since 2015, indicating increased workforce capacity

Workforce and Employment Statistics Interpretation

With over 300,000 licensed pharmacists in the U.S. earning around $128,570 annually and diversifying into patient care, research, and immunization, the pharmacy profession is both a stalwart of healthcare and a dynamic hub of innovation—in short, pharmacists are prescribing more than medications; they're shaping our health future.