Expanded medical services should be accessible at pharmacies
Pharmacies in Germany are set to offer more services, according to Federal Health Minister Nina Warken. The aim is to relieve the burden on doctor's offices by allowing pharmacies to provide vaccinations, preventive care, and early detection tests for cardiovascular diseases.
Warken announced these plans, which are part of a package of new regulations aimed at strengthening and better utilising pharmacies for care. The changes would give smaller pharmacies more flexibility in terms of space, and pharmaceutical technical assistants in the pharmacies will be able to take on more responsibility after a minimum of two years of further training.
One of the key changes will be the ability for pharmacists to dispense certain prescription-only medicines without a prescription for chronically ill patients in urgent need and with known long-term use. They will also be able to dispense medicines responsibly for uncomplicated illnesses, such as a simple urinary tract infection.
However, the president of the Federal Association of German Pharmacists' Associations, Thomas Preis, has criticised the delay in implementing these changes. Preis stated that the delay is about immediate aid to make up for what has been missed over two decades. The Association of General Practitioners has also expressed concerns about the plans, warning of a potential risk to patient safety.
The fixed component of the reimbursement is planned to be raised from the current 8.35 euros per package to 9.50 euros once, amounting to around 900 million euros. However, the increase in pharmacy reimbursement announced by the coalition will not be implemented in the short term.
Pharmacies will also be able to provide health information without appointments, in person, and expertly, according to Warken. In addition to flu and corona vaccinations, pharmacies will be able to offer all protective vaccinations with "inactivated vaccines" in the future, such as against tetanus, diphtheria, or whooping cough.
Despite the criticism and concerns, Warken has reiterated her commitment to the agreement, stating that the first goal is to keep contributions stable, and no further burdens can currently be placed on statutory health insurance. She did not name a more specific date for when the increase could come.
The reform plans aim to give pharmacies more flexibility by allowing them to dispense preparations with the same active ingredient if a prescribed medicine is not available. Pharmacists will also be able to represent the pharmacy management in limited periods, bringing new development opportunities for the profession.
However, the Association of General Practitioners questions the ability of pharmacists to determine the nature of an illness at the counter without a medical examination. This is a concern that will need to be addressed as the changes are implemented.
In summary, the planned changes aim to expand the role of pharmacies in Germany, allowing them to offer more services and provide relief to doctor's offices. The changes are expected to bring new opportunities for the profession, but also raise concerns about patient safety and the ability of pharmacists to determine the nature of an illness without a medical examination.
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