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Germany's struggling pharmacy services face financial collapse despite €537M budget

Pharmacies lose money on vital health checks, despite millions in funding. Industry warns of a looming crisis unless payment and operational barriers are fixed.

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1 min read
The image shows the entrance to a pharmacy with a sign that reads "Pharmacy" on the left side of...
The image shows the entrance to a pharmacy with a sign that reads "Pharmacy" on the left side of the image. On the right side, there is a board with some text on it, and in the background there are some objects. At the top of the roof, there are lights illuminating the pharmacy.

Germany's struggling pharmacy services face financial collapse despite €537M budget

Germany's remunerated pharmaceutical services (pDL) programme has struggled to gain traction since its launch in 2020. Despite an allocated budget of €537 million, weak demand and financial hurdles have left much of the funding unused. Industry groups now warn that without changes, many pharmacies will continue to lose money on these services.

Pharmacies offering pDL services, such as hypertension risk assessments, often fail to break even. Remuneration for these checks stands at a net €11.20 per assessment, yet only around one-third of pharmacies report making a profit. Over half operate at a loss, according to recent figures.

The Freie Apothekerschaft (FA) highlights that while pharmacies possess the expertise to deliver pDL services, current payment levels rarely cover costs. Additional challenges include staff shortages, heavy administrative workloads, and limited space for consultations. Tensions with other healthcare professionals have also complicated service delivery. Inhalation technique training, another pDL offering, has seen gradual uptake as pharmacies expand their clinical roles. However, precise demand data remains unavailable. The FA cautions against redirecting unused pDL funds to general pharmacy remuneration, arguing this could weaken the programme's long-term viability. The German Pharmacists' Association (DAV) is now pushing for higher pDL remuneration. Without sustainable funding, they warn, many pharmacies may abandon these services altogether.

Policymakers face pressure to reform pDL remuneration and address operational barriers. Without adjustments, the programme's €537 million budget risks staying underused, while pharmacies may scale back or drop services entirely. The goal remains ensuring these offerings are both financially viable and widely accessible across Germany.

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