Pharmacies in danger: Save themselves, who can - the crisis in NRW!

Pharmacies in danger: Save themselves, who can - the crisis in NRW!

The health sector in Germany faces enormous challenges, especially the pharmacies in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW). According to a Report by pharmacy adhoc , many pharmacists, such as Beuth from the Farma-Plus pharmacy, are forced to give up their business. The main reason for the closures has been the fee system that has not been adapted for over a decade, which leaves the pharmacists hardly breathing.

The inflation of 30% over the past decade and the increased salaries by more than 50% have meant that many pharmacies have come into an existential emergency. Last year, in North Rhine -Westphalia alone, 131 pharmacies had to close. These developments underline urgency to find solutions to stop the wave of closure. Laumann, a responsible politician, emphasizes the need for a "good middle ground" between fair funding for pharmacies and affordable health insurance contributions.

urgent need for action

The pharmacy association is faced with a further financial pressure: From February 2023, the cash offset will be increased, which according to a Analysis of German Pharmacist Zeitung will lead to further financial losses. A survey among Apokix participants shows that 83% out of 153 respondents see the adaptation of the pharmacy fee as the most important topic for 2023. The reduction in bureaucracy in everyday pharmacy is almost as important, which 78% of the participants consider crucial.

The concerns about the future of the pharmacies are great. 57% of the participants expect negative developments in the coming year, while only 13% look into the future. This pessimistic mood could be reinforced by an average grade of 3.2, which reflects the skin braking in recent years. The declining income, which resulted from the Covid 19 pandemic, further tightened the financial situation.

bureaucratic stress

The bureaucratic requirements represent an additional burden for pharmacists. Andrew Ullmann, an FDP health politician, and Daniela Hänel, the chairwoman of the free pharmacists, discussed this topic more intensively. Hänel, which operates a pharmacy in Zwickau, presented Ullmann eight pages with detailed lists of the requirements for pharmacists, including documentation obligations, evidence and exams that are required by various institutions. This situation shows how much time and resources pharmacists have to invest to ensure compliance, which continues to affect the core business.

Finally, it can be stated that the pharmacy landscape in Germany, especially in North Rhine -Westphalia, is currently experiencing a critical phase. A quick action is necessary to address the serious challenges and to ensure a survival of the pharmacies.