Health - Protest against reform plans: pharmacies close for two days
Protesting against plans by German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) for a pharmacy reform, Hessian pharmacies will close for two days starting from Thursday. The medication supply is guaranteed only through emergency services, according to the Hessian Pharmacists' Association. A large demonstration is planned at Frankfurt Opera House on Thursday afternoon. Pharmacy teams from Rhineland-Palatinate and Thuringia have also announced their participation. The association criticizes, among other things, the planned creation of "Pseudo-Pharmacies" without the presence of pharmacists or pharmacy technicians.
To maintain the supply network for patients, especially in rural areas, Lauterbach intends to relax the requirements for branches, opening hours, and the presence of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, as well as enable new digital solutions. This is based on a draft presented by his ministry for a law. The "Telepharmacy" will be expanded through interactive video connections.
As a result, a pharmacy can also open if the pharmacist or pharmacist is not physically present but in another pharmacy in the network and provides consultations digitally when needed. At least eight hours per week, however, the pharmacy management must be personally present. In this context, experienced pharmaceutical assistant technicians and assistants can also be present on site.
List of emergency pharmacies
- Despite the planned demonstrations against Minister Karl Lauterbach's reform plan in Hesse, pharmacies in Thuringia and Rhineland-Palatinate have indicated their intention to participate.
- The Hessian Pharmacists' Association strongly objects to the potential establishment of "Pseudo-Pharmacies" under Lauterbach's reform, warning about the absence of pharmacists or pharmacy technicians.
- In contrast to the concerns raised by the association, Lauterbach's plan involves relaxing pharmacy requirements, allowing for digital consultations, and enhancing the use of "Telepharmacy" to maintain supply networks, especially in rural areas.
- As part of the proposed reform, the presence of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians will be less stringently required for pharmacy branches, enabling new digital solutions and ensuring at least eight hours of personal presence at each pharmacy.
- Pharmacies in Frankfurt and other parts of Hesse will temporarily close for two days, but emergency services will continue to guarantee medication supply during this period.
