Pharmacy Associations in Westphalia-Lippe Launch Campaign Against Proposed Pharmacy Reform

Pharmacy associations in Westphalia-Lippe have initiated a public awareness campaign to highlight the potential consequences of the proposed Pharmacy Supply Development Act (ApoVWG), which is expected to be discussed in the federal cabinet soon. The campaign, set during the Advent season, aims to draw attention to the risks the reform poses to the sustainability and accessibility of local pharmacies.

As part of this initiative, pharmacies across Westphalia-Lippe are displaying two distinctive posters in their windows and interior spaces. The campaign also includes materials for digital channels and social media, allowing pharmacies to amplify their message to a broader audience. The associations emphasize that their primary goal is to inform the public and policymakers about the challenges the sector faces and to encourage political reconsideration of the current draft legislation.

The central concerns raised by the pharmacy chamber and association include the absence of fee increases for pharmacies despite a prolonged period of unchanged compensation. They also express apprehension regarding provisions that would allow pharmaceutical-technical assistants (PTAs) to temporarily manage pharmacy operations in the absence of a pharmacist, warning that this could undermine the established model of owner-managed pharmacies. The associations advocate for strengthening the role of PTAs through alternative measures rather than substituting for pharmacists in critical functions.

Additional issues cited involve the uncertainty of future fee adjustments, as these would be conditional on available funding, and structural changes that could lead to a fragmentation of pharmacy services. Examples include the establishment of branch pharmacies with limited operational hours or facilities lacking essential laboratory resources.

The pharmacy profession has clearly communicated its demands to policymakers, including the need for fair compensation adjustments and the protection of the owner-operated pharmacy model. The associations assert that they are prepared to end their public campaign if substantive changes are made to the reform proposal, indicating that their actions are intended as an initial step rather than a final measure.

On a national level, the Federal Union of German Associations of Pharmacists (ABDA) is coordinating a protest action coinciding with the upcoming cabinet session. Pharmacies throughout Germany are expected to temporarily turn off their lights on the day of the meeting to symbolize the precarious state of the sector. This action, referred to as a 'supply blackout,' is designed to underscore the urgency of the situation and prompt wider public and political attention.

The pharmacy associations stress that their campaign is a regional extension of nationwide advocacy efforts, and further actions are anticipated if the concerns of the profession are not addressed in the final reform measures. The ongoing initiatives reflect the sector's determination to safeguard the future of local pharmacies and ensure reliable access to pharmaceutical care for the population.