Pharmacy Fixed Fee Increased to 9 Euros as Shipping Control Requirement Removed

The German Federal Ministry of Health has put forth a new draft regulation that proposes an incremental increase to the fixed dispensing fee for pharmacies, alongside significant regulatory changes. If enacted, the fee per prescription drug pack will initially rise to 9 euros, with a second increase to 9.50 euros planned for the following year. This adjustment is part of broader reforms intended to address ongoing concerns within the pharmacy sector.

The draft regulation, dated April 30, outlines a timeline for implementation. Should the regulation progress swiftly, the new fee could be effective as early as July 1. If deliberations extend into the final Bundesrat meeting before the summer break, the increase would instead come into force on October 1. The subsequent increase to 9.50 euros is scheduled to take effect one year after the initial adjustment.

These changes are designed to provide pharmacies with a more stable remuneration structure. However, the overall financial impact is tempered by concurrent cost-saving measures. The regulation stipulates a temporary suspension of surcharges currently allocated to the Night and Emergency Service Fund (NNF) and the fund for pharmaceutical service remuneration (pDL). Presently, 21 cents per prescription pack are directed towards the NNF and an additional 20 cents to the pDL, totaling 41 cents. Under the new regulation, these contributions will be paused and instead financed from existing reserves, which currently amount to approximately 600 million euros in the pDL fund.

The Ministry's intention behind these adjustments is to minimize the financial burden on statutory health insurance providers. By utilizing accumulated funds for ongoing services, the impact of the fixed fee increase on insurance budgets is expected to be limited. The dispensation of these funds will continue under the established payout mechanisms, ensuring that essential services remain funded without imposing additional costs on the healthcare system in the short term.

The regulation also includes the removal of mandatory shipping controls for prescription medications, streamlining requirements for pharmacies that operate mail-order services. This is expected to reduce administrative workloads and associated costs for pharmacy operators, particularly those handling significant volumes of mail-order prescriptions. The elimination of this requirement aligns with ongoing efforts to modernize and simplify regulatory obligations in the pharmaceutical sector.

Stakeholders in the pharmacy sector, including professional associations and health policy experts, have expressed varied reactions to the staged approach. While some advocate for the immediate implementation of the full 9.50 euro fee to address urgent financial pressures facing pharmacies, the Ministry maintains that a phased increase represents a balanced and sustainable path forward. The gradual approach is intended to provide predictability to pharmacies while managing the fiscal impact on the broader healthcare system.

The current draft regulation is under discussion and will be reviewed in forthcoming sessions of the Bundesrat. If approved, the changes are expected to bring about a new framework for pharmacy remuneration and operational requirements, marking a significant step in the ongoing reform of Germany's pharmaceutical sector.