The Federal Association of German Pharmacists’ Associations (ABDA) has sharply criticized the planned pharmacy reform of the Federal Ministry of Health (BMG). In a comprehensive statement on the hearing of the draft bills of the Pharmacy Supply Further Development Act (ApoVWG) as well as planned amendments to the Pharmacy Operating Regulations and the Drug Price Ordinance, the ABDA emphasised the need to strengthen pharmacies economically. Without this, there is a risk of further pharmacy deaths, which would make it more difficult to supply medicines to the population.

The ABDA firmly rejects plans by the BMG to soften the mandatory presence of pharmacists in pharmacies. This regulation endangers essential services and security of supply. On the other hand, the ABDA sees the intention to involve pharmacies more closely in primary care, for example through expanded offers in prevention, vaccinations and early detection tests, as positive. The ABDA had already presented proposals in April 2025 in the position paper “Towards a healthy future with the pharmacy”, some of which were taken into account in the draft.

Before the cabinet consultation in December, the ABDA recalled the coalition agreement, which assures a strengthening of pharmacies in the face of demographic change. However, the current reform threatens to undermine this goal, as the pharmacy fee has not been adjusted to cost developments since 2013. The ABDA plans to point out the risks to nationwide coverage in talks with the governing coalition and the public.

Editor: X-Press Journalistenbüro GbR

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