Laumann Advocates for a Modernized Compensation System for Pharmacies

Karl-Josef Laumann, the Minister of Health for North Rhine-Westphalia, emphasized the importance of developing a modern compensation system for pharmacies during his address at the Expopharm exhibition. He acknowledged the crucial role pharmacies play in providing accessible healthcare and expressed gratitude for their ongoing contributions to the health sector.

In his speech, Laumann stated that pharmacies are essential for ensuring local access to medications, which he believes is a fundamental aspect of a robust healthcare system. He expressed his preference for traditional pharmacies over online services, asserting the value of personal pharmacist interactions.

Laumann noted that the current pharmacy model, based on freelance practice, has proven effective over generations and must be preserved for the future. He stressed the necessity of ensuring that pharmacies across the country can operate economically. To maintain competitiveness, he highlighted the need for adequate compensation for skilled personnel, warning that without appropriate wages, it would be challenging to attract and retain talent in the industry.

The minister also addressed the ongoing increases in health insurance contributions, indicating that previous responses to healthcare issues have often involved injecting more funds into the system, leading to higher costs for consumers. He cautioned that this approach has reached its limits and that further increases in financial burdens could threaten job security and the sustainability of the healthcare system. Laumann called for significant structural reforms to revamp the healthcare framework, emphasizing that economic growth and high employment rates are essential for financing such reforms.

Regarding pharmacies, he urged policymakers to go beyond the fixed compensation and improve the financial recognition of pharmaceutical services. He argued that the current packaging fee cannot serve as the sole compensation model and advocated for a collaborative effort to gradually establish a modern remuneration framework.

Laumann pointed out that Germany's healthcare system is not state-managed but operates through self-administration, which must function efficiently. He stressed the importance of advancing the professionalism of various healthcare professions to create a well-functioning system. Strong associations and chambers are vital, he noted, to avoid centralizing control. He called for a collaborative approach between politicians and healthcare professionals to design an effective healthcare system that prioritizes patient needs. In planning reforms, he emphasized the importance of involving different professions to ensure practical applicability.