Franziska Scharpf Seeks to Succeed Benkert as President of BLAK

Franziska Scharpf, the Vice President of the Federal Chamber of Pharmacists (BAK), has announced her candidacy for the presidency of the Bavarian State Chamber of Pharmacists (BLAK). This move comes as the current president, Benkert, prepares to step down after more than 14 years in office, having first been elected in June 2010. Benkert also held the position of president of the BAK from 2021 to 2024, a role he recently relinquished to Armin Hoffmann, the president of the North Rhine Pharmacists' Chamber.

As Scharpf aims for the BLAK presidency, Sonja Mayer has expressed her desire to remain as Vice President, while Alexander von Waldenfels is also in the running for the second vice-presidential position. The existing board is recommending to the delegates that the chamber continue to operate with a total of nine members, which includes the two vice presidents.

If Scharpf is elected as the chamber's president, she would ensure that Bavaria maintains a prominent voice in Berlin. In November 2024, Scharpf was elected to the BAK board as the vice president, working alongside Armin Hoffmann. This position also places her on the smaller 7-member board of the Federal Association of Pharmacists (ABDA), alongside key representatives including ABDA President Thomas Preis and other vice presidents.

In addition to the upcoming BLAK elections scheduled for June, the BAK will hold a by-election on April 9, where the board will be completed by additional members, including Hannes Müller, hospital pharmacist Maike Fedders, and Ina Lucas. However, Lucas will be vacating her seat as she has been elected as the vice president of ABDA.

Prior to the BLAK elections, chamber members will have the opportunity to engage with the candidates directly during the Bavarian Pharmacy Day, taking place on May 9 and 10, 2025, in Regensburg. This event will focus on the impact of political frameworks on outpatient healthcare delivery and will feature discussions with local mayors and the chairman of the Kassenärztliche Vereinigung Bayern, Christian Pfeiffer.