Germany faces a growing risk of pharmaceutical under-provision as numerous pharmacies grapple with financial strain and potential closures, according to the President of the Federal Association of German Pharmacist Associations (ABDA), Thomas Preis. Preis has cautioned that the current situation jeopardizes the nation’s ability to guarantee essential medication access for its citizens.
The core of the concern stems from a long-standing issue of remuneration for dispensing prescription drugs. Preis argues that a substantial increase in the fee per package is urgently needed to compensate for losses accumulated over the past decade. While a recent agreement within the governing coalition mandated an increase to €9.50, Preis contends that this represents only a modest step and a figure of €12 would be necessary to rectify the situation.
Preis emphasized the vital role pharmacies play in Germany’s provision of essential services and underscored the importance of a dense network of pharmacies for the overall resilience of the healthcare system, particularly in emergency scenarios. He warned that the current economic climate is placing significant pressure on many pharmacies, with rising costs coupled with stagnant fees making many businesses unsustainable. He specifically noted that a quarter of public pharmacies are facing economic peril.
Looking ahead, Preis expressed openness to expanding the roles and responsibilities of pharmacies, specifically mentioning vaccination services and repeat prescriptions. He stated that, from a medical and pharmaceutical perspective, pharmacies are well-equipped to administer vaccines and contribute to earlier disease detection and support doctors, alleviating workload and reducing patient wait times.
Beyond financial pressures, the stability of the pharmaceutical supply chain is also a worry. Preis indicated that approximately 550 medications are currently unavailable in Germany, including treatments for high cholesterol, ADHD and psychological conditions. The situation is particularly acute when effective alternatives are lacking, with five medications currently impacted, including antibiotics for children and the asthma medication Salbutamol. To maintain consistent supply, Germany is presently relying on imports from the United States and Spain.
