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Drawer with antibiotic juices in a pharmacy in Leipzig
Photo: Jan Woitas / dpa
The Federal Association of German Pharmacists' Associations (Abda) has accused politicians and health insurance companies of a "savings mania" in the supply of medicines. This, as well as increasing supply bottlenecks, excessive bureaucracy and "the ever faster declining number of local pharmacies," are visibly deteriorating the situation, said Abda President Gabriele Overwiening in Berlin.
On the occasion of Pharmacy Day on Wednesday, Abda, chambers of pharmacists and state associations, together with young professionals, are launching the "Against Future Theft" initiative to draw attention to what they consider to be the precarious situation of pharmacies. In addition, a nationwide day of protest is planned for June 14, on which all pharmacies except the emergency services are to remain closed.
After coping with the corona pandemic, there is the next crisis with the "unspeakable drug supply bottlenecks", Overwiening said. This means a lot of extra work for pharmacies, but it is not additionally remunerated. Instead, there are fee cuts. The supply bottlenecks for certain medicines are "a symbol of a health policy that is too much geared towards savings". Overwiening also accused the federal government of inaction in the event of drug shortages.
Abda reiterated its call for an extension of decision-making powers in the event of delivery problems. A regulation issued during the pandemic allowed pharmacies to dispense an in-stock substitute drug when filling a prescription. This flexible regulation on the dispensing of medicines and the "decision-making authority" of pharmacists must be preserved, demanded the association president.
More employees, fewer branches
According to new data from Abda, the number of pharmacies fell by 293 last year to 18,068 nationwide. This is the lowest number in about 40 years. In the first quarter of this year, the number continued to decline and reached a low of 17,939 pharmacies.
There are significantly more employees, currently around 160,000. However, this is related to more part-time work and more complex tasks due to an ageing society. Overall, Abda sees a "very serious" shortage of junior staff and personnel.
dab/AFP