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Cologne (dpa / lnw) - After the first distribution campaign to people over 60 and chronically ill, the pharmacies are prepared for an increasing demand for FFP2 masks.
"The demand for FFP2 masks has risen continuously in the last few months, due to the regulation for people over 60 and the chronically ill," said the chairman of the n, Thomas Preis, on Wednesday of the German press agency.
The issue of the masks by voucher to this group of people, who are particularly at risk from Corona, led to younger people also having preferred to buy FFP2 masks.
"You can see that in the street too."
"Unfortunately, the complete dispatch of all vouchers for beneficiaries continues until February," explained Preis.
"This currently leads to a lot of need for clarification in pharmacies, especially since every health insurance company acts differently," explained the chairman of the association.
It is not uncommon for people in a household to be written to at different times, depending on where they are insured or to which group of beneficiaries they belong.
That leads to further discussions in the pharmacies, reports Preis.
With Bavaria's push towards the FFP2 mask requirement in local transport and retail in the Free State, the demand for this protection is now increasing.
"We are assuming that the market situation is so stable that increasing demand can be met."
Both the mask producers and the upstream suppliers as well as the pharmacies are well prepared that an FFP2 mask requirement can be met.
The chairman of the North Rhine Pharmacists' Association does not fear panic buying or hamster buying in view of a "good supply situation".
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The pharmacies in Germany only supplied a third of the population with three masks within a few days in December, he emphasized, referring to the issue to people over 60 and chronically ill in the period from mid-December to the first week of January.
"In the pharmacies there is double the amount because these people are entitled to six masks again in January."
From February 1st, six more FFP2 masks could be picked up by the particularly endangered group of people upon presentation of the corresponding voucher.
With the total of 15 pieces, the aim is to ensure that everyone over the age of 60 and chronically ill is provided with an FFP2 mask per winter week.
Preis welcomed the advance by Bavaria.
"FFP2 masks protect much better than simple mouth-nose protection made of fabric."