Germany faces a growing risk of pharmaceutical supply shortages and reduced access to essential medications, according to warnings issued by the President of the Federal Association of German Pharmacists’ Associations (ABDA), Thomas Preis. He cautioned that a significant number of pharmacy closures are exacerbating the situation.
Preis highlighted the current economic strain on pharmacies, citing rising costs combined with a stagnation in reimbursement rates for prescription medication packages over the past decade. He stated that an increase to €12 per package would be necessary to compensate for this lost revenue. While the increase stipulated in the current coalition agreement, set at €9.50, represents a positive initial step, it is insufficient to address the underlying challenges.
Emphasizing the vital role pharmacies play in Germany’s essential services provision, Preis argued that a dense network of pharmacies is critical for the resilience of the healthcare system, particularly during emergencies. He expressed deep concern about the solvency of numerous pharmacies, noting that approximately one-quarter of publicly accessible pharmacies are currently facing economic hardship.
Preis also indicated openness to expanding the scope of pharmacists’ duties, including vaccination services and the dispensing of repeat prescriptions. He asserted that, medically and pharmaceutically, there are no significant objections to allowing pharmacies, with limited exceptions, to administer all vaccines. He suggested that such expanded roles could alleviate the workload of general practitioners and specialists while reducing patient wait times.
Compounding the concerns, Germany is currently experiencing shortages of approximately 550 medications, ranging from cholesterol-lowering drugs, treatments for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and psychotropic medications. More concerning are “supply gaps” – instances where there are no comparable alternatives available. Currently, five such medications are affected, including antibiotics for children and the asthma medication Salbutamol, requiring Germany to rely on imports from the United States and Spain to ensure patient access.