The biennial gathering, which took place on May 6th and 7th, brought together a significant portion of the pharmaceutical sector from the province of Las Palmas. Under the slogan 'The Art of Distribution,' this seventh edition has solidified its position as a key reference point for the industry, laboratories, and the collaborative network, offering access to the latest sector innovations.
During the inauguration, a cooperative spokesperson highlighted that dialogue, cooperation, and a shared vision have been fundamental in building a robust model. This model, according to the spokesperson, can only function with the co-responsibility of the industry and pharmacies, ensuring that medicines reach every corner of the archipelago, from a neighborhood pharmacy to a non-capital island.
“"Shortages exist, but they are not critical, as there is a lack of certain products, but alternatives are available."
The same spokesperson explained that, although the shortage of certain products is a reality, it is not considered a critical situation due to the existence of alternatives. To prevent this, the cooperative works on overstocking and negotiating larger quotas with laboratories, seeking to offer better service to the population. The cooperative's role as a factor of social cohesion was defended, compensating for socioeconomic and territorial inequalities, and ensuring that patients have access to medicines.
Representatives from other pharmaceutical groups and the official pharmacists' associations of Las Palmas and Santa Cruz de Tenerife also participated in the inauguration. A spokesperson for another pharmaceutical group emphasized the value of the union between distribution, pharmacies, service companies, and laboratories, mentioning that their group exceeded 4 billion euros in turnover in 2025, achieving over 30% of the national market share.
“"Pharmacies could do much more; they could get more out of us."
The president of the Official College of Las Palmas defended the pharmaceutical sector's work as crucial for access to health. She criticized a recent decision by the Canarian Health Service that could remove glucose test strips from pharmacies, calling it "illogical" and a "step backward in patient care." She lamented that Canary Islands lags in healthcare services offered in other communities through the pharmacy network, such as colon and cervical cancer screenings, or the inclusion of vaccines in electronic prescriptions.
The cooperative, founded in 1935, leads pharmaceutical distribution in the province of Las Palmas, supplying over 390 pharmacies daily in Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, and Fuerteventura. With a 99% automated logistics center, it distributes over 34 million product units annually through 36 daily routes, ensuring access to medicines regardless of location.
