The German Federal Ministry of Health, led by Minister Nina Warken (CDU), is planning a ban on online pharmacies offering bonuses and discounts on prescription medications. Minister Warken voiced her concerns to the Funke-Mediengruppe newspapers, stating that the current practice is problematic. Her rationale centers on ensuring stable medication supply and protecting local pharmacies.
“The provision of medication must not depend on discount promises. Nor should local pharmacies suffer as a result” Warken stated. She emphasized the importance of maintaining accessible, personalized dispensing of medication for all patients and pledged to work towards creating equitable conditions between online and traditional brick-and-mortar pharmacies.
The planned initiative follows a recent ruling by the Federal Court of Justice (BGH) which sparked considerable discussion. The court previously determined that an online pharmacy based in another EU country was permitted to offer bonus rewards on prescription drugs to German customers over a decade ago.
The pricing of prescription medications in Germany is legally regulated, requiring them to be offered at a uniform price across all pharmacies. For years, debate has centered on whether this price regulation extends to online pharmacies operating from within the EU, or if such restrictions may conflict with the principles of free trade within the European Union.