Health Minister Lucha demands pharmacy reform from the federal government
Ahead of their protest rally, State Health Minister Manne Lucha (Greens) is backing the Bavarian and Baden-Württemberg pharmacists. Lucha told the German Press Agency that pharmacies in private practice need a sufficient economic foundation in order to guarantee high-quality care. Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) must hold "serious talks" with the federal states in order to constructively address the shortcomings of German pharmacies.
The federal minister must tackle a pharmacy reform with the federal states, the Green politician demanded. Pharmacies must be able to react to inflation and wage increases with new financing concepts for pricing. "Pharmacists are right to criticize the fact that they have had to get by for more than ten years without any adjustments to economic developments," said Lucha.
Especially in times of high inflation, the number of pharmacies is threatening to fall. "We see the supply of medicines close to home via local pharmacies under massive threat," warned Lucha. "More and more pharmacies are closing due to economic pressure and the number of pharmacies is at an all-time low."
The system of owner-managed pharmacies has proven itself over decades in Germany. "Pharmacies are an important part of the healthcare system in Germany," said Lucha. With their help, people can obtain medicines and receive advice. This is particularly important in times of crisis. "Attempts to weaken this system with the aim of supposedly improving coverage are not expedient and endanger the pharmacy network as such," said the Minister.
Thousands of pharmacies in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria will once again remain closed on Wednesday in protest against the situation in the sector. Pharmacists from both federal states will use the day of protest to draw attention to their situation on Stuttgart's Schlossplatz from 12.05 pm. They are protesting against excessive bureaucracy, persistent supply bottlenecks and longstanding underfunding.
Many pharmacies in western Germany had already closed last Wednesday. The month of protest began on November 5 in Hanover with a central rally for Lower Saxony, Bremen, Hamburg, Schleswig-Holstein and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Following the rally in Stuttgart, pharmacists also plan to gather in Dresden on November 29, accompanied by closures in Brandenburg, Berlin, Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia and Saxony.
- Consumers are concerned about the potential impact of inflation and wage increases on the availability of medications, as many pharmacies are struggling to adapt with new financing concepts due to these economic pressures.
- The pharmaceutical industry and healthcare professionals, such as Minister Lucha, are calling for reforms in the pharmacy sector to address the ongoing issues of bureaucracy, supply bottlenecks, and underfunding, which have led to numerous demonstrations and pharmacy closures.
- Despite the challenges faced by pharmacists, Minister Lucha emphasizes the importance of maintaining local pharmacies for the entire community, especially during times of crisis, as they play a vital role in providing medications and offering advice to consumers.
Source: www.dpa.com
