Significant changes are on the horizon for pharmacies across Germany following recent government decisions aimed at broadening the scope of pharmaceutical services. During a professional policy discussion held in Merano, representatives from the Federal Chamber of Pharmacists (Bundesapothekerkammer, BAK) addressed newly approved measures that will expand the portfolio of services pharmacies can provide, particularly in the areas of vaccination and patient care.

Earlier in the day, the Federal Cabinet approved a long-debated increase in the fixed fee for pharmacies. This move, combined with the passage of the ApoVWG legislation by the Bundestag in late May, paves the way for the introduction of five new pharmaceutical services, effectively doubling the number of reimbursable services available at German pharmacies.

Broader Range of Pharmaceutical Services

Leaders from the BAK presented an overview of the expanded service offerings, which now include enhanced medication safety and adherence programs, preventive measures and early detection services, smoking cessation support, point-of-care testing, and an extended vaccination program. The introduction of these services aligns German pharmacies with international best practices and is designed to improve patient access to essential healthcare offerings.

Expanded Vaccination Authority for Pharmacies

One of the most notable changes is the significant expansion of vaccination services. Pharmacies will no longer be limited to administering vaccines for COVID-19 and influenza. Instead, they will be authorized to provide all vaccines that do not contain live agents, a category that includes common immunizations such as those for tetanus, diphtheria, and pneumococcal disease. This reform is expected to make vaccinations more accessible by allowing pharmacies to offer these services year-round, rather than on a seasonal basis.

Additionally, pharmacists will now be able to delegate vaccination responsibilities to appropriately trained pharmacy technicians-in-training (PTA) and pharmacy interns (PhiP). The requirement that vaccinations occur only in dedicated rooms within the pharmacy premises has also been removed, granting more operational flexibility and potentially increasing the number of pharmacies able to provide these services.

Operational and Workforce Implications

Pharmacy leaders expressed optimism about the expected uptake of these new services, noting that many customers have already shown a strong interest in low-threshold vaccination options. As pharmacies integrate these services into their operations, process optimization and digitalization are being emphasized to ensure efficient delivery. Some pharmacies have already fully digitalized the administrative requirements associated with vaccinations, aiming to streamline workflows and reduce manual paperwork.

The delegation of vaccination tasks to PTAs and pharmacy interns is seen as both a means of increasing workforce efficiency and as an opportunity to elevate the professional status of these roles within the pharmacy sector. This development brings pharmacy teams on par with medical practices, where similar delegation is standard practice, supporting broader access to preventive healthcare.

Sector-Wide Impact and Future Outlook

The expansion of pharmaceutical services represents a substantial shift in the role of pharmacies within the German healthcare system. By enhancing their capacity to provide preventive and therapeutic services, pharmacies are expected to play a more active part in public health initiatives. The reforms are designed to meet increasing demand for accessible healthcare while optimizing resource allocation within the sector. Ongoing digital transformation efforts and process improvements are anticipated to further support the integration of these expanded services into everyday pharmacy practice.