Praise for promotion of discounts at pharmacies during distribution
In a recent development, the Federal Health Minister of Germany, Nina Warken, has announced her intention to take action against discount offers by European online pharmacies on prescription drugs. This move comes in response to concerns raised by the ABDA, the Federal Association of German Pharmacists' Associations, who have long opposed discount practices that could undermine the fair pharmacy market.
The current regulatory landscape in Europe sees EU-wide online pharmacies requiring certification from the competent national authority and displaying an interactive EU logo on their sites. However, the regulation of discount offers on prescription drugs remains primarily at the national level. In Germany, aggressive price discounting by online pharmacies is generally prohibited to protect pharmacy structures and ensure equitable access to medication.
ABDA President, Thomas Preis, has endorsed Warken's plans, calling for health policy to prevent further damage to local supply structures and act promptly. Preis emphasizes that each closed pharmacy in Germany represents a loss of local supply, particularly significant in a digitized healthcare world where pharmacies often serve as the primary personal contact for older individuals' health care.
Preis has expressed concern about foreign logistics companies using contributions from statutory health insurance funds to compete with discounts and bonuses. He criticizes such practices in a caring healthcare system and attributes the closure of pharmacies, in part, to the mail-order pharmaceutical trade from abroad.
According to Preis, the number of pharmacies in Germany has decreased by approximately 10% over the past five years, with no sign of this trend ending. Warken, on the other hand, has emphasized the importance of maintaining the local, personal dispensing of medicines for all patients. She aims to ensure equal conditions between mail order and stationary pharmacies.
The ongoing debates around this issue reflect a delicate balance between consumer access and cost savings, pharmaceutical care quality, and market fairness in Europe. No major policy changes or relaxations have been reported as of mid-2025, indicating this remains an active and somewhat contentious area of healthcare regulation.
[1] Source: German Federal Ministry of Health, ABDA (Federal Association of German Pharmacists' Associations)
Key Points:
- The ABDA and Federal Health Minister Nina Warken are concerned about discount offers by European online pharmacies.
- Germany enforces regulations to prevent aggressive price discounting on prescription medicines.
- The ABDA actively monitors and opposes discount schemes that could undermine the fair pharmacy market.
- Federal Health Minister Nina Warken wants to tighten oversight on online pharmaceutical sales and discounting practices.
- The government aims to uphold a balance between enabling legal online sales and protecting patient interests.
- Thomas Preis, ABDA President, supports Warken's plans and calls for action to prevent further damage to local supply structures.
- Warken aims to ensure equal conditions between mail order and stationary pharmacies.
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