Urgent Action Required to Address Pharmacy Closures

The Apothekerverband Westfalen-Lippe (AVWL) has issued a call for immediate action following the recent federal elections in Germany. The organization warns that nearly 100 pharmacies are at risk of closing due to economic pressures before a new government is established. Thomas Rochell, the AVWL chairman, emphasized that with each passing day of prolonged negotiations, one or two pharmacies are likely to shut their doors.

In light of this alarming trend, Rochell urged the new government to implement prompt measures to halt the ongoing decline of pharmacies across the nation. He highlighted that the current wave of closures starkly illustrates the urgent need for a reassessment of pharmacy compensation, which has not seen an inflation adjustment in over a decade. Despite the numerous global crises and domestic challenges, he asserted that a stable and comprehensive healthcare supply in Germany is crucial, serving as a vital component of social infrastructure.

Rochell also pointed out that the future of pharmacies must be anchored in the coalition agreement. He reminded that various political parties had advocated for leveraging pharmacists' professional potential to ensure both broad and economically viable healthcare access prior to the elections. He cautioned that these proposals should not become bargaining chips in coalition discussions and stressed the necessity of establishing a solid economic foundation for pharmacies.

A constructive dialogue involving local pharmacies was deemed essential by Rochell. He stated that a transformation in the responsibilities of pharmacists towards new healthcare competencies and roles within the healthcare system can only be achieved through collaboration with local pharmacies, rather than imposing decisions without their input. Consequently, newly elected members of the Bundestag have been invited to visit local pharmacies to gain insight into their roles, contributions to healthcare, and the economic challenges they face.