Strengthening Pharmacies: A Key Focus in Health Policy

The health sector in Germany is facing significant challenges, and urgent reforms are necessary to enhance the stability of health and long-term care insurance funds. Tino Sorge, a prominent member of the CDU, emphasizes that financial stability is crucial for maintaining the high standard of healthcare services in the country.

In the wake of the recent political shifts, many initiatives aimed at improving emergency care and hospital reforms were left incomplete. Sorge has highlighted the importance of swiftly addressing these issues. Additionally, the CDU plans to introduce measures to relieve pharmacies and enhance their roles in the healthcare system.

Concerns regarding the urgent need for immediate support for pharmacies have been raised, particularly in rural areas where the closure of a pharmacy can have far-reaching consequences. The proposed adjustments to the fixed remuneration for pharmacies could alleviate some of the financial pressures they face, and Sorge aims to initiate these changes at the beginning of the new legislative period.

Pharmacies have expressed a desire for greater responsibility in healthcare delivery, including the ability to manage supply shortages, treat minor ailments, and expand preventive care services. Sorge acknowledges that pharmacy teams possess capabilities that are often underestimated, and their contributions are essential to the overall healthcare landscape.

In response to concerns about online pharmacies and their adherence to regulations, Sorge advocates for stricter oversight to ensure compliance with legal requirements. He asserts that those who repeatedly violate these regulations should face consequences, emphasizing the need for fairness in the healthcare supply chain.

Addressing the financial challenges faced by health and long-term care insurance is a priority. An expert group has been tasked with evaluating these issues, but Sorge warns that solutions must be implemented sooner rather than later. The CDU plans to pursue both short-term and long-term strategies to combat financial instability in the system.

While the CDU is critical of the recent cannabis legalization measures, Sorge points out that a comprehensive evaluation of the law is necessary to understand its impacts fully. Although there are discussions about pharmacies potentially serving as distribution points for cannabis, Sorge emphasizes that their primary focus should remain on dispensing essential medications.

Furthermore, the coalition plans to enhance protections for healthcare professionals from aggression and violence, indicating that legislative measures will be introduced to increase the penalties for such offenses. Sorge is optimistic that these changes can be enacted during the current legislative term.

As discussions about the future of the Federal Ministry of Health persist, Sorge emphasizes the importance of addressing healthcare and nursing issues as vital components of public welfare, particularly in rural areas where access to healthcare services is dwindling. He believes that meaningful improvements in this sector are possible and that restoring public trust in the healthcare system should be a fundamental goal of policy.