Government rejects most pharmacy reform changes despite Bundesrat pushback
The federal government has pushed back against most of the Bundesrat's suggested changes to its pharmacy news. While some financial adjustments were delayed, officials defended key parts of the plan, including rules on remuneration and decision-making for new pharmaceutical services. Disagreements remain over who should control medication management—physicians or pharmacists.
A planned increase in the fixed pharmacy fee to €9.50 has been postponed. The government cited financial pressures on statutory health insurance as the reason for the delay. Despite this, officials confirmed they still support the broader goal of adjusting remuneration for pharmacies.
The Bundesrat had proposed a 'negotiation mechanism' for pharmacy payments, but the government rejected it. Ministers argued that the existing system already achieves the same outcome without adding complexity. They also dismissed a suggestion to introduce a base cost surcharge, claiming it would make the current structure harder to manage.
One sticking point is the question of who decides on new pharmaceutical services. The government insists physicians must keep the final say, while the Bundesrat wants pharmacists to have more influence. Officials also defended rules requiring pharmacy technicians, pointing to ongoing shortages of skilled workers in the sector.
The reform includes plans to modernise branch pharmacies and improve access in rural areas. However, no recent data exists on how many new pharmacies have opened in the last five years or which regions are most affected. The government is also reviewing the impact of lifting the mail-order ban in 2004 and may update regulations based on its findings.
The pharmacy news will move forward with most of the government's original proposals intact. The postponed fee increase and rejected amendments leave key decisions in the hands of physicians, while rural pharmacy access remains a priority. Further adjustments may follow as officials assess the long-term effects of past policy changes.
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