Pharmacies want money for advice

Pharmacist associations for a fee-based mandatory consultation

08/07/2013

Pharmacies provide a service that they according to Mathias Arnold of the Federal Association of German Pharmacists Associations (ABDA) to the daily newspaper „The world“ in the future like „strengthened advisor function“ would be further expanded. The lobby association of the pharmacies thinks here of compulsory fee-based counseling sessions for patients who need to take medication over a longer period of time. While critics see in it a silvering of consulting services, the ABDA hopes in this way, the financial problems of pharmacies, especially in rural areas a little to alleviate, to avoid more widespread pharmacy closures.

A mandatory one „detailed medication discussion with the pharmacist“ For patients who have to take a variety of drugs over a longer period of time, would be in the opinion of the Deputy Chairman of the Federal Association of German pharmacists associations a meaningful achievement, but would have to be honored separately. Because so far, a remuneration only on the basis of the sold prescriptive packs (8.35 euros per pack). Instead, services should be reimbursed in the future as well, „which are not directly attached to the pack“, demanded Arnold. „For pharmacists, the future lies above all in a strengthened advisory function and in medication management“, the deputy ABDA chairman continued. In the planned consultation, the education on interactions and drug intolerances and „individual concepts to accompany the therapy“ stand in the foreground. The diet and lifestyle of the patients could also be discussed.

Paid advice competition for free counseling?
In fact, there is a legal obligation for the pharmacies to provide information about the medicines given, which is why the lobby group's initiative is receiving criticism, especially from consumer protection organizations. They are worried that the paid advice could compete with the free offers. Closure of pharmacies, especially in rural areas, would in turn have the consequence, however, that in the end, no consultation in the immediate vicinity is more available, which would not help the patient. The approach of thinking about additional sources of revenue for the pharmacies seems therefore quite comprehensible. Whether a paid obligatory consultation is the right way remains open. The pharmacists want to reach a resolution on the reform proposals at the German Pharmacists' Day in Düsseldorf at the end of September. On this basis, it is then possible to discuss possible legislative measures that might be necessary. (Fp)

Picture: Marco Petig