Telepharmacy Excluded from Final Pharmacy Reform Legislation

The recent pharmacy reform initiative in Germany has moved forward without incorporating the concept of telepharmacy. While the absence of some expected changes disappointed members of the pharmacy sector, such as the lack of an increase in remuneration, other contentious points, including the formal introduction of telepharmacy, were ultimately omitted from the final legislative proposal.

Telepharmacy, though increasingly discussed within the healthcare sector, currently lacks a standardized or official definition in Germany. The term generally refers to the provision of pharmaceutical consultations and services to patients via real-time video communication. However, the scope and regulatory framework for telepharmacy remain undefined, leading to differing interpretations among stakeholders.

Initial drafts of the reform, proposed under the previous Federal Minister of Health, suggested that pharmacy branches managed by pharmaceutical technical assistants (PTAs) could utilize telepharmacy solutions, such as video consultations, to connect with pharmacists as needed. This concept was met with skepticism from pharmaceutical associations, who argued that such remote consultations did not align with their understanding of telepharmacy. According to industry representatives, telepharmacy should support the pharmacist-patient relationship and be offered exclusively by licensed pharmacists, ideally within local pharmacies and for patients already known to the pharmacy.

In the preliminary versions of the Pharmacy Reform Act (ApoVWG), telepharmacy was referenced with the intent to clarify its definition, outline requirements, and specify its permitted use. The draft language proposed that telepharmacy would involve pharmaceutical counseling, particularly regarding medications and medical devices, delivered through synchronous, real-time video communication by pharmacy personnel. For pharmacy networks, consultations could be provided by qualified staff from any branch within the network.

Additionally, there were provisions for amending the PTA Professional Act, proposing that PTAs could temporarily lead a pharmacy branch if they had completed advanced training, including in telepharmacy competencies. Despite these proposals, the final cabinet-approved version of the legislation does not mention telepharmacy. The decision to exclude the term is attributed to the ongoing lack of a universally accepted definition and the complexities surrounding its regulation and implementation.

Industry observers note that the omission of telepharmacy from the reform reflects the current regulatory uncertainty and the need for further discussions among policymakers, professional bodies, and healthcare providers. The subject remains on the agenda, with political leaders indicating that a standardized definition and clear operational guidelines for telepharmacy will be pursued in future legislative efforts.

For now, the pharmacy reform focuses on other structural and operational aspects of pharmacy practice, while the broader conversation about integrating telepharmacy into the German healthcare system continues. The eventual establishment of clear rules and definitions is expected to shape how digital pharmaceutical services are provided and regulated in the future.