Overview
- Health Minister Nina Warken sent a draft law and related ordinance into inter‑ministerial coordination, outlining a broader role for pharmacies in care delivery.
- In defined cases, pharmacists could supply prescription‑only medicines without a prior doctor visit for a known long‑term therapy or uncomplicated acute illnesses, with self‑pay rules and a service fee of up to €5.
- A BfArM‑led catalog would set the list of uncomplicated conditions, while pharmacies would add inactivated‑vaccine immunizations, selected rapid pathogen tests on a self‑pay basis, and preventive screenings for cardiovascular risk, diabetes and smoking‑related issues.
- Rural support includes higher night and emergency duty pay, subsidies for part‑notdienst hours, easier branch openings and limited wholesale rebates, with added flexibility for opening hours and expanded PTA responsibilities after extra training.
- Medical groups including the KBV and the family doctors’ association warn of patient‑safety risks, the ABDA criticizes insufficient economic strengthening and planned PTA changes, and SPD health spokesman Christos Pantazis welcomes the reform goals.