The municipality of Tandel recently filed a request to have its own local pharmacy, but chances are that this will not be permitted as nearby Vianden already has one.

Improving healthcare in northern and rural Luxembourg has been a source of several disputes in the past. Six demands for new pharmacies have recently been filed, out of which five have been approved.

The municipality of Tandel was among the towns presenting plans for a new pharmacy. However, since another one already exists four kilometres away in Vianden, the Health Directorate and the Medical College denied the request as regulations stipulate that only one pharmacy is allowed per 2,500 residents.

In fact, discussions are currently being held on raising that threshold to 5,000 residents.

Nevertheless, there is still hope for the project, says Minister of Health Paulette Lenert: "I have not yet taken a final decision, I will give the idea another chance to see if we can find a solution. That is all I can do, I cannot break regulations. I think that fairness is part of the issue, we cannot treat one demand differently than others. In the end, that is what I'm bound to as a Minister and it is also what will finally decide over the case."

Vianden Mayor Claude Tonino has shown himself open to negotiate a plan for alternating services between his town and that of Tandel. Aly Kaes, Mayor of Tandel and MP for the Christian Social People's Party (CSV), meanwhile remains firmly set on setting up an independent pharmacy in his home town.