In China, the pharmacy industry has been experiencing a wave of closures since the fourth quarter of 2024, with a net decrease of 22,000 pharmacies nationwide in 2025. Smaller and medium-sized pharmacies have been particularly hard-hit during this industry reshuffle.
According to a report by “First Finance” on May 6, data provided by China’s medical data solution provider Zhongkang shows that the net number of pharmacies decreased by 22,000 nationwide in 2025. The first to be pushed out of the market were mainly small and medium-sized chain pharmacies and standalone pharmacies with weaker risk resistance.
Since the fourth quarter of 2024, the total number of pharmacies in the country has decreased by nearly 26,000 stores, with small and medium-sized chain pharmacies and standalone pharmacies accounting for 84.5% of the closures.
In an article released in April 2026 by “MedTrend,” a leading media outlet in the Chinese medical industry, it was reported that within a month, five chain pharmacies had filed for bankruptcy or entered bankruptcy proceedings. These include Chongqing Yaojuguxiangshe Pharmacy, Hubei Zhonglianda Pharmacy, Beijing Dewei Zhiyao Chain, Yueyang Ziye Dayaofang Chain, and Chongqing Haoyao Shijia Dayaofang.
Among them, Hubei Zhonglianda Pharmacy was once a well-established local chain enterprise with over 400 stores at its peak; Beijing Dewei Zhiyao Chain was also known as the “first affordable pharmacy in Beijing.” The report mentioned that due to increasing pressures from rent, debts, and operations, these regional chain pharmacies have been gradually exiting the market.
This wave of closures is not only happening to small and medium-sized pharmacies but is also affecting top chain pharmacies.
The article from “MedTrend” mentioned that China National Pharmaceutical Group United Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. disclosed in its 2025 annual report that its subsidiary, Guoda Pharmacy, closed 1,140 loss-making stores in 2025.
“MedTrend” also cited statistics from the pharmaceutical information platform Sibelan, showing that in the first three quarters of 2025, a total of 1,927 stores were closed by six chain pharmacies including Dashenlin, Yifeng, Yixin Tang, Laobaixing, Shuyu Pingmin, and Jianzhijia.
The report by “First Finance” also indicates that even top chain pharmacies with stronger financial resources and management capabilities are struggling to avoid this wave of industry consolidation. The trend of integration in the Chinese pharmacy industry continues. Citing Zhongkang’s forecast, the report states that in the next 3 to 5 years, the number of pharmacies in China may fall to below 500,000.