Pharmacist in Düsseldorf expresses dissatisfaction towards Minister Warken
In recent times, the German pharmacy sector has been facing a significant decline, with the number of pharmacies dropping by 238 to 16,803 in the first half of the year. This decrease, according to sources including Nina Warken and Karl-Josef Laumann, has been attributed to cost pressure and problems with succession.
At the Pharmacists' Day in Düsseldorf on September 16, 2025, Federal Health Minister Nina Warken addressed these challenges. She emphasized the need to reconsider the remuneration of pharmacies and announced plans to reintroduce trade discounts, possible price reductions from suppliers, and a negotiated solution for fees.
The flat rate paid for each pack of prescription medication dispensed was supposed to be increased from 8.62 euros to 9.50 euros. However, due to the budget situation, Warken announced that the increase will not be implemented this year. This decision, as noted by Armin Hoffmann, president of the Federal Chamber of Pharmacists, and Thomas Preis, president of the Federal Association of German Pharmacists' Associations (ABDA), has been met with criticism, with Hoffmann calling it a "setback."
The challenges facing pharmacies extend beyond remuneration. According to David Matusiewicz, a professor of healthcare management, drug shortages are a significant concern. He suggests that a policy-level solution is needed to address this issue in the medium term. Mail-order pharmacies, which are not obligated to provide emergency services, are also putting pressure on local pharmacies, as stated by Matusiewicz.
To compete with mail-order pharmacies, local pharmacies could potentially upgrade their services. This could include implementing intelligent delivery services or smartphone orders. Pharmacists are also to be given more autonomy to make decisions that best serve their customers.
The European Association of Online Pharmacies suggests that the decline of local pharmacies does not significantly impact supply, as closures disproportionately affect areas with high pharmacy density. However, the impact on rural areas, where pharmacy density is lower, may be more pronounced. To address this, Warken wants to increase the on-call duty allowance to strengthen rural pharmacies.
Looking ahead, the topic of pharmacies will be further discussed on our website 5 Morning Echo and our website 5 Westblick at 5:04 PM on Tuesday, September 16, 2025. Subscription to the website-Newsletter for Politics in NRW is available for those who wish to stay informed about these developments.
In conclusion, the pharmacy sector in Germany is facing a crisis, with a decline in the number of pharmacies and challenges related to remuneration and drug shortages. However, efforts are being made to address these issues, with plans to reconsider remuneration, increase autonomy for pharmacists, and strengthen rural pharmacies. Stay tuned for more updates on this topic.
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