Doctors warn: Expanding pharmacists’ roles threatens patient safety

German doctors fight pharmacists’ push into medical roles over patient safety risks

The Kassenärztliche Bundesvereinigung (KBV), Germany's national association of statutory health insurance physicians, has strongly opposed the expansion of pharmacists' responsibilities into medical tasks traditionally performed by doctors. The KBV argues that this move threatens patient safety and undermines the principle of medical responsibility.

The KBV has expressed concerns over pharmacists performing tasks such as screening for cardiovascular diseases or risk factors without clinical indication or conducting tests based on unproven parameters. They believe that these duties should remain with doctors, who are trained to make accurate diagnoses and provide appropriate treatment.

The KBV also argues that vaccinations should be administered in a medical setting, where immediate medical assistance is available. They believe that patient safety depends on this, and expanding pharmacists' responsibilities in this area could put patients at risk.

The KBV insists that prescribing medication requires a patient history, diagnosis, examination, and differential diagnosis, all of which are fundamental medical responsibilities that should remain with doctors. They suggest removing bureaucratic hurdles for doctors to boost vaccination rates, rather than involving pharmacies.

The KBV welcomes the proposal to eliminate zero-cost clawbacks for purely formal reasons but demands the same for doctors to avoid financial penalties based solely on formal prescribing errors. They remain committed to protecting patient safety and maintaining the principle of medical responsibility.