Pharmacies closed: Criticism of Lauterbach plans
Pharmacists are protesting against cutbacks and stagnating fees with closed pharmacies throughout northern Germany and a central rally in Hanover on Wednesday (12.00 noon). The actions are the prelude to regional protests throughout Germany in the course of November. Among other things, pharmacists are criticizing plans by Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) to deregulate the pharmacy sector.
The State Pharmacy Association of Lower Saxony and the associations in Bremen, Hamburg, Schleswig-Holstein and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania want to use the rally in Hanover to campaign for a financial strengthening of pharmacies and a reduction in bureaucracy. Customers in the affected federal states will only be able to access emergency pharmacies on that day. Lower Saxony's Minister of Health and Social Affairs, Andreas Philippi (SPD), plans to address the pharmacists.
Source: www.dpa.com
