Physicians at out-of-hours emergency practices would be permitted to dispense medications to patients in the future, according to a new draft plan for emergency reform, as reported by “Politico’s” “Health” newsletter. The document, dated for March 31st, stipulates that “the dispensing of medicinal products for immediate need will be permitted to patients by physicians at out-of-hours emergency practices in certain, narrowly defined emergency care scenarios”. This measure is intended to ease the availability of pharmaceuticals.
The proposed amendments to the Medicinal Products Act would establish a dispensing right for immediate continuation care with medications for out-of-hours emergency practices connected to an integrated emergency center, similar to the existing ability for hospital pharmacies to dispense medicines following inpatient treatment. Furthermore, dispensary-mandated medical devices could also be dispensed.
However, dispensing would only be allowed “when the necessary care for the patient cannot be adequately ensured through a public pharmacy”. Therefore, if there is an open pharmacy nearby, the patient must be directed there. Additionally, the physician’s dispensing is only permissible if the medication must be administered immediately. The Ministry of Health cites urgent antibiotic or pain therapy as an example. The dispensed quantity can only cover a maximum of three days. Narcotic drugs are fundamentally excluded, as their supply must “continue to happen through a pharmacy”.
Currently, physicians in Germany are generally not allowed to hand out medications to patients. This separation between doctors and pharmacies is intended to avoid conflicts of interest regarding prescriptions. Warken’s plan would change this practice. The Federal Association of German Pharmacists (ABDA) had previously warned in December against “parallel structures” in the dispensing of medicines. The ABDA noted in a position paper on the first draft that, “the emergency reform must not weaken the strength of local pharmacies. A secure and fast pharmaceutical supply in an emergency is only possible through local pharmacies”.
The Federal Cabinet is scheduled to address Warken’s emergency reform at the end of April.
