Do you think that opening or managing a pharmacy is always a guarantee of economic stability? In Germany this is not the case at all. This sector, in fact, is going through an unprecedented crisis, with an ever-increasing number of pharmacies finding themselves in the difficult position of having to close their shutters due to the financial difficulties affecting them.
An unprecedented crisis
This critical situation is evident when analyzing the most recent data: in 2023, only 17,571 pharmacies remained in Germany, while another 142 have had to close their doors since the beginning of 2024. The density of German pharmacies appears to be significantly lower than the European average, with the closures particularly affecting pharmacies located in urban areas, where competition and operating costs are particularly high. It is estimated that, on average, more than one pharmacy closes per day in Germany.
What the managers ask for, what the minister proposes
Faced with this crisis, the sector is clamoring for an increase in tariffs, going from the current 8.35 euros to 12 euros for each drug prescribed. This increase is considered essential to cover growing costs, especially those related to digitalisation.
The Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach (SPD) had put forward the proposal to authorize the opening of pharmacies without the presence of pharmacists, as a possible solution to reduce costs. The idea, however, was rejected by industry insiders. The pharmaceutical services company Noventi called it “absolutely unacceptable”. According to Noventi, such a measure would cause a serious distortion of competition and put at risk the quality of services offered to patients, as the pharmacist is a key element in guaranteeing professional advice.
Electronic prescriptions in the pharmacy: a reform that works
Meanwhile, the electronic prescription, implemented by the Ministry, seems to be working well, with an electronic prescription rate that reached 72.8% in April 2024 and stood at around 70% in May 2024, again according to Noventi data. Electronic prescribing not only aims to simplify the process of prescribing and dispensing medicines, but also to reduce the possibility of errors and improve the traceability of treatments, fundamental aspects for patient safety and the optimization of healthcare resources.
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