ABDA pharmacists see opportunities in the coalition agreement

ABDA: Pharmacists see opportunities in the coalition agreement

11/30/2013

Pharmacists see numerous opportunities in the coalition agreement to improve health care and pharmaceutical supplies in Germany. However, there are also challenges that need to be addressed in the next legislative period.

Planning certainty for the next four years
From the point of view of the Association of German Pharmacists Associations (ABDA), the coalition agreement between the Union and the SPD offers numerous opportunities to improve healthcare and pharmaceutical supplies in Germany. Friedemann Schmidt, President of the ABDA said: „We welcome the fact that health policy-makers have agreed on important milestones and that now there is planning certainty for the next four years.“ He further explained: „The clear commitment to a high-quality, safe and local drug supply by freelancers in owner-managed pharmacies, we understand as an order to meet this claim of patients in the future.“

Challenges from preliminary contract
However, this would also create challenges from the provisional contract. For instance, the increased manufacturer rebate, which the pharmaceutical companies will continue to pay to the health insurance companies, will be taken care of by the collection in the pharmacies for bureaucracy and liability risks. On the other hand, greater predictability for pharmacists and chronically ill patients leads to a halt to the benefit assessment for the existing market for patent-protected medicines. And in the outpatient emergency care in clinics, the pharmacists would now have to consider ways in which a better integration of emergency medical care with the night and emergency services of public pharmacies could be guaranteed.

Solid framework
Plans for prevention, patient-friendly discharge management from inpatient to outpatient care, and structured care for chronically ill patients were among the greatest healthcare opportunities. „The pharmacists will fight to make even better use of their healthcare expertise“, said ABDA President Schmidt. „In order to perform better for patients, we need a solid framework, but also scope for innovative solutions“. Recently, the further development of the professional services and the fee system of the pharmacies, a strengthening of the comprehensive drug supply and a strengthening of the most important requirements of the pharmacists were heard. (Ad)

Picture: S. Hofschlaeger