The last 24-hour pharmacy in Daugavpils has reduced its operating hours, leaving the entire Latgale region without nighttime medication access, according to local reports. Pharmacists state that maintaining overnight sales is unprofitable, a trend that is making round-the-clock service increasingly scarce across Latvia. Currently, only six around-the-clock pharmacies remain operational nationwide, with half of them located in Riga, while the Ministry of Health has not offered a solution.
The pharmacy on Smilšu Street in Daugavpils now closes at 11:00 PM. Its doors display the addresses of three alternative 24-hour locations, all situated in Riga on Vienības gatve, Brīvības, and Čaka streets. Traveling to these Riga locations from Daugavpils takes about three hours. In other Latgale cities, nighttime pharmacy access vanished several years ago.
Operational Challenges and Staffing Shortages in Daugavpils
Natalia Shershneva, manager of the Daugavpils pharmacy, explained that the reduction in hours stems from two main factors. First, finding qualified specialists is difficult because only pharmacists or pharmacy assistants are legally permitted to work in the pharmacy. Maintaining continuous 24-hour operations requires at least four specialists, but one employee recently retired and another has a small child, leaving only two staff members willing to work night shifts. Second, customer volume at night is extremely low, averaging only about ten people per shift.
Beyond Latgale, the shortage of nighttime pharmacies impacts other parts of the country. Outside of Riga’s three remaining 24-hour locations, only a handful operate in Jelgava, Tukums, and Ventspils.
Did You Know? The pharmacy located on Smilšu Street in Daugavpils was the last remaining around-the-clock establishment serving the entire Latgale region before it cut its hours to close at 11:00 PM.
Impact on Local Residents and Families
The sudden loss of nighttime medication access caught local residents by surprise. Viktoria, a Daugavpils resident, described the difficulties the change creates for families. “In the spring, my baby started having ear pain, and I urgently needed drops that I didn’t have at home. I used to go to this pharmacy. Parents will now have a hard time, as there will be no place to buy medicine at any time. This is very bad; something needs to be done,” she said.
With no nighttime pharmacies left in the region, residents facing sudden medical needs during late hours face a stark lack of local options.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many 24-hour pharmacies are left in Latvia?
There are currently only six around-the-clock pharmacies remaining in the entire country, with half of them located in Riga.
What is the situation in the Latgale region?
There are no longer any pharmacies operating at night in the entire Latgale region. The pharmacy on Smilšu Street in Daugavpils was the last one, and it now closes at 11:00 PM.
What reasons were given for ending 24-hour service in Daugavpils?
According to pharmacy manager Natalia Shershneva, the decision was driven by a severe shortage of qualified specialists willing to work at night and very low customer numbers, averaging only about ten people per night.
How do you handle urgent medical needs or medication purchases when local facilities close early?
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