Current State of Pharmacies Discussed by ABDA President Thomas Preis

In recent discussions, Thomas Preis, the president of the German Federal Association of Pharmacies (ABDA), shed light on the troubling state of pharmacies in Germany during appearances on various media platforms. Preis emphasized that the remuneration for pharmacies has remained largely unchanged for the past two decades, despite a significant rise in operational costs. This stagnation has led many pharmacies to struggle with their financial viability.

Despite the ongoing closures of pharmacies, Preis reassured that patient care remains secure at this time. He highlighted the effectiveness of pharmacy delivery services, particularly in rural areas where access to pharmacies has become more challenging. While citizens continue to receive necessary medications, many have reported longer distances to their nearest pharmacy, which poses difficulties for the elderly and those with mobility issues.

Preis raised concerns regarding foreign online pharmacies that do not comply with German regulations, suggesting that strict measures against these businesses should be implemented. He advocated for a ban on mail-order pharmacies, citing that most countries enforce such restrictions for valid reasons. According to Preis, the safety of medication distribution is best ensured through local pharmacies, making their role indispensable.

He commended the German Health Ministry for examining ways to address unfair practices in the online pharmacy sector. He noted that the new government is committed to strengthening the public pharmacy system across the country and emphasized the need for the promised increase in pharmacy remuneration to be realized.

Furthermore, Preis pointed out that pharmacies have been at the forefront of advancing digital healthcare solutions. However, he expressed frustrations about the current electronic prescription (e-prescription) system, which he described as unstable. The frequent outages of the e-prescription system directly impact patient care, necessitating a more reliable digital framework.

Looking ahead, Preis indicated that pharmacies are prepared to take on additional responsibilities. He mentioned that the range of services offered by pharmacies has already expanded in recent years, including vaccination services. He noted that the government plans to collaborate further with pharmacies, particularly in the realm of early disease detection, to alleviate the burden on healthcare facilities and doctors' offices.

In conclusion, while the challenges facing pharmacies are significant, there is an ongoing commitment to ensuring that pharmacies adapt and expand their roles in the healthcare system.