Expanding the range of services available at pharmacies is proposed for consideration.
In a significant shift for the German healthcare system, Federal Health Minister Nina Warken has announced plans to expand the services offered by pharmacies. These changes, part of a coalition agreement between the Union and SPD, aim to relieve pressure on doctors' practices and better utilize the potential of pharmacies for care.
One of the key changes will be the early detection of cardiovascular diseases through tests offered by pharmacies. Pharmacists will also be able to dispense certain prescription-only medicines for uncomplicated conditions like a simple urinary tract infection. This move is intended to help those in need, particularly chronically ill patients in urgent situations with known long-term use.
Pharmacies will also play a more significant role in vaccinations, providing all protective vaccinations with 'inactivated vaccines,' such as those against tetanus, diphtheria, or whooping cough, in addition to flu and corona vaccinations.
However, there have been concerns raised about these plans. The Association of General Practitioners has expressed worries about potential risks to patient safety due to these expansions. The president of the Federal Association of German Pharmacists' Associations, Thomas Preis, has also criticised the delay in the honor increase for pharmacists.
The increase in remuneration for pharmacies, as announced in the coalition agreement, will not be implemented this year. The delay is due to immediate aid to make up for what has been missed over two decades. The plans for raising the pharmacy package fixed fee must be postponed due to the financially strained situation of the statutory health insurance, with negotiation solutions and further evaluations by the Financial Commission for Health planned to decide on the timing.
The expanded services are intended to help pharmacies cope with rising costs. Pharmacies will be able to dispense preparations with the same active ingredient if a prescribed medicine is not in stock, initially on a temporary basis. Additionally, pharmaceutical technical assistants in the pharmacies can assume more responsibility after at least a two-year further training, allowing them to represent the pharmacy management in limited periods.
These changes are expected to bring new development opportunities for the profession, which is almost exclusively practiced by women, according to Warken. Previously prescribed opening times for pharmacies will be released, allowing pharmacies, especially in rural areas, to better adapt their business hours to local demand.
The first goal is to keep contributions stable at the turn of the year for statutory health insurance. Warken aims to strengthen and better utilize the potential of pharmacies for care, with a package of new regulations planned to achieve this. This new era for pharmacies in Germany promises to bring about a significant shift in the healthcare landscape.
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