Another day of protest by pharmacies on Wednesday
Numerous pharmacies in Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland will remain closed today in protest against the federal government's health policy. Branches in North Rhine-Westphalia and Hesse are also taking part in the protest on this day. Anyone who needs medication will have to travel to an emergency service pharmacy.
The managing director of the Rhineland-Palatinate Pharmacists' Association, Peter Schreiber, assumes that at least three quarters of pharmacies in both states will remain closed all day. Around 90 percent of pharmacies took part in the last day of protest on June 14.
The Laurentius pharmacy in Koblenz will also remain closed on Wednesday. "The situation is like all pharmacies, we're all on our last legs," owner Tom Siener told the German Press Agency. A lack of staff, a shortage of medicines and increased costs were putting a strain on the pharmacy. "We simply need compensation," said Siener. "My electricity is also more expensive, I also have a minimum wage, my gas is also more expensive." This is not financially viable with the current regulations.
His pharmacy had already closed on the previous day of protest. "I haven't had any customers complaining yet. I have the impression that people understand and realize this," said Siener. Customers would notice the shortage of medicines and the loss of pharmacies for themselves.
"Due to supply bottlenecks, staff shortages and remuneration virtually frozen at the 2004 level, the situation for pharmacies has been tense for years," said the association in Rhineland-Palatinate and the Saarland Pharmacists' Association. The provision of care close to people's homes is increasingly coming under threat due to growing economic pressure. The number of pharmacies is now at an all-time low.
A joint rally of pharmacy teams from North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse and Saarland is planned for the day of protest in Dortmund. Further days of protest are planned throughout Germany.
Pharmacies across Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland, as well as branches in North Rhine-Westphalia and Hesse, are participating in demonstrations against the federal government's health policy due to economic pressures, staff shortages, and insufficient compensation for increased costs in pharmaceuticals. Due to these demonstrations, many pharmacies will be closed, forcing customers to seek medication from emergency service pharmacies.
Source: www.dpa.com
