Saxony-Anhalt: Joint criticism of the pharmacy reform

The current draft bills for pharmacy law reform are attracting massive criticism. Now, the Chamber of Pharmacists and the State Pharmacists' Association of Saxony-Anhalt have jointly commented on the plans of the Federal Ministry of Health ( BMG ):

"If the Berlin ideas are implemented, a pharmacy system that has guaranteed the safe, reliable, and above all, humane supply of medicines to the population for decades will be acutely endangered," the statement reads. "The draft neither seriously addresses the existing economic problems facing pharmacies , nor does it implement the improvements promised in the coalition agreement . Instead of a sustainable strengthening, there is a risk of an acute weakening of the pharmacy system," explains Mathias Arnold .

The chairman of the Saxony-Anhalt State Pharmacists' Association (LAV) calls on politicians to recognize that pharmacies are not ordinary commercial businesses, but an indispensable part of healthcare. "Our everyday lives are characterized by unpredictable tasks – from sudden emergencies to complex consultations. This responsibility requires healthcare professionals who can fulfill their duties for people independently of capital interests and with financial security. As pharmaceutical experts, we stand not only for the provision of care, but also for the correct use of medicines," said Arnold . The pharmacy is a place of individual care and direct responsibility – and therefore not an interchangeable branch operation.

According to Arnold, the implementation of the plans would have serious political and legal consequences. "A concentration on a few large providers may appear efficient on paper, but in practice it leads to the reduction of patient-centered care. The financial situation of many pharmacies is already strained. Without improved remuneration, neither the core tasks nor the additional services envisioned by politicians are simply not affordable."

This draft casts considerable doubt on the credibility of the government. "In the coalition agreement, politicians promised us an immediate program with an increase in the fixed fee to €9.50. This adjustment, incidentally the first in twelve years, is long overdue and would at least partially offset the inflationary rise in costs. We would like to assume more responsibility in a healthcare system that is massively threatened by demographic changes, but to do so, we also need an adjustment of the fee to reflect the real economic situation," explains Mathias Arnold .

"If politicians weaken and thin out the pharmacy landscape, they will lose a central component of our healthcare system," emphasizes Jens-Andreas Münch , President of the Saxony-Anhalt Chamber of Pharmacists . Local, empathetic, and professionally competent care for the population must not be replaced by short-term austerity measures. While reform is necessary, it must strengthen pharmacies , not weaken them.