Union Proposes Increased Pharmacy Remuneration from Unused pDL Funds

The Union parliamentary group has put forward a proposal to increase the fixed remuneration for pharmacies, suggesting that unallocated funds from the budget for pharmaceutical services (pDL) be redirected to support this initiative. The plan comes in response to ongoing challenges in the pharmacy sector, particularly in rural regions where closures have been rising and structural stability is under threat.

During a recent healthcare congress, a representative from the Federal Ministry of Health introduced the idea of raising the fixed pharmacy fee to 9.50 euros. This increase would be financed using the surplus funds designated for pharmaceutical services, which have not been fully utilized to date. The rationale is that these earmarked resources currently remain mostly unused, thus presenting an opportunity for reallocation in support of pharmacy operations.

Union health policy representatives consider this approach a pragmatic interim solution to address the immediate financial needs of pharmacies. The proposed use of available pDL funds is seen as a responsible measure to temporarily stabilize pharmacy remuneration, particularly to prevent further closures and maintain essential pharmaceutical care in underserved areas.

However, the Union acknowledges that the existing pDL budget, amounting to approximately 570 million euros, will not fully cover the increased expenditure associated with the higher fixed fee. Estimates suggest that the proposed adjustment would require around 945 million euros in additional annual funding. Consequently, this reallocation is positioned as a temporary measure, intended to bridge the gap while more sustainable, long-term financing solutions are sought.

To develop a lasting resolution, the Union has emphasized the need to evaluate further funding options. The outcomes of the ongoing statutory health insurance (GKV) financial reform are expected to play a significant role in shaping future policies, with the aim of identifying potential efficiency reserves and additional financial leeway to support the pharmacy sector.

Nevertheless, the proposal presents certain challenges. Current plans from the Federal Ministry of Health also involve redirecting the existing 20-cent per prescription contribution to the pDL fund to improve compensation for emergency pharmacy services. This shift could limit the ability to use surplus pDL funds for the proposed fixed fee increase, as future reimbursements for pharmaceutical services would depend on these remaining resources.

The debate over pharmacy remuneration occurs amid broader discussions on the value and scope of pharmaceutical services. Some stakeholders have voiced concerns that increasing the fixed fee and introducing new services may further strain the finances of statutory health insurance providers. Others maintain that ensuring reliable pharmacy funding is essential to safeguarding comprehensive pharmaceutical care, especially in less populated areas.

In summary, the Union's proposal to utilize surplus pDL funds for a short-term increase in pharmacy remuneration is positioned as a constructive step to address urgent sector challenges. However, policymakers recognize that additional, more durable solutions will be necessary to secure the long-term stability of pharmacy services in Germany.