Overview

• Health Minister Nina Warken says the country is well positioned for the coming season and reports particular improvement for children’s medicines.
• The government is preparing a reform to give pharmacies wider leeway to substitute equivalent available drugs.
• EU measures to strengthen on‑continent production are being advanced alongside Germany’s 2023 anti‑shortage law that loosened price rules and required reserves.
• Regulators currently list about 530 delivery shortage notifications, mostly affecting generics for which equivalent alternatives are typically available, according to BfArM.
• The ministry notes ongoing tight supply for several antibiotics and certain asthma, heart attack and pain treatments, has authorized steps such as expanded imports, and faces criticism from the pharmacists’ association over preparedness and workload.