Pharmacies announce protest in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg
Thousands of pharmacies in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg are to remain closed on Wednesday next week. The pharmacists are protesting together on November 22nd for an increase in their fees, among other things, as the Baden-Württemberg Pharmacists' Association announced in Stuttgart on Wednesday. Supply bottlenecks, increased costs and staffing concerns are also reasons for the day of protest.
"Many of my colleagues have their backs to the wall," explained Tatjana Zambo, President of the Baden-Württemberg State Pharmacists' Association. Remuneration had not been adjusted for over ten years. In addition, politicians have not taken any suitable measures against the supply bottlenecks.
According to Zambo, 400 pharmacies across Germany were forced to close last year. A further 600 closures are expected this year. According to industry figures, there were a good 18,000 brick-and-mortar pharmacies nationwide at the end of 2022. Competition from online providers has grown in recent years.
On the day of the protest, emergency pharmacies are to supply patients with medicines. The demonstrating pharmacists will meet for a joint rally in Stuttgart.
The demonstrations by pharmacists in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg are centered around improving their fees and addressing issues such as supply bottlenecks and increased costs. The health of the community may be affected if the protest leads to temporary medicine shortages at local pharmacies.
Source: www.dpa.com
