Closed most pharmacies in Germany will remain closed today, joining the industry’s protest over the ongoing decline in revenue and problems in the supply of medicines. The government sees limited possibilities for improving conditions.

Only “emergency” pharmacies will operate in the country today, while, according to the Federal Pharmacists Association (ABDA), protest rallies are planned in several cities. A rally and march to the Ministry of Health will take place in Berlin.

The ABDA criticizes in a statement the increasing demands and burdens on pharmacy staff, mainly due to drug shortages and the excessive daily bureaucracy required by insurance funds and speaks of “bad health policy” on the part of the federal government and “frenzy of austerity » from the funds.

ABDA also claims that pharmacies in Germany now face survival problem and calls for the fixed fee of 8.35 euros per prescription drug to be increased to 12 euros. The amount, as he points out, has not been adjusted for ten years. The Union of Pharmacists also points to the steady decline in the number of pharmacies, as the profession is no longer considered particularly lucrative. In 2022, 293 pharmacies were closed and their total number today is 17,939. In 2021, there were 23 pharmacies per 100,000 inhabitants, below the EU average.

On the part of the government, Minister of Health Karl Lautermpach expressed understanding for the requests of pharmacists, but stated that he sees no room for salary increases.