Test strips not only available at the pharmacy

Bundeskartellamt tilts agreement for blood sugar test strips between pharmacists and cash registers in Westphalia-Lippe

02/10/2014

The Bundeskartellamt has overturned an agreement on Thursday between the Apothekerverband Westfalen-Lippe and the health insurance companies, according to the blood sugar test strips are sold so far preferred through pharmacies. For this purpose, a so-called control and interference prohibition was agreed. „In particular, the health insurance funds had to refrain from influencing physicians and insured persons, to obtain blood glucose test strips directly from certain other providers, and not to outsource the test strip supply to direct distributors via diabetological specialist practices“, informs the Bundeskartellamt in a communication.

In the future, more competition in the distribution of blood glucose test strips
An agreement between the Apothekerverband Westfalen-Lippe and several large health insurance companies, which ensures the pharmacies in the distribution of blood sugar strips an almost exclusive position, violates the free competition. This was decided by the Bundeskartellamt on Thursday. „As a result, the sales opportunities of competitors, such as direct mail or medical supply, made it difficult“, informs the authority. Thus the agreement in particular has included, „that the supply of patients with blood sugar stripe preferably over the pharmacies in Westphalia-Lippe should be done“. The health insurance companies should therefore always refer to the pharmacies as sources of supply for the test strips and not on possibly cheaper alternatives such as medical supply stores or direct mailers.

According to the Cartel Office, the Apothekerverband Westfalen-Lippe agreed to do so within the framework of the procedure, „to waive his rights from the control and interference prohibition“. Previously, a competitor had complained about the agreement, so that the authority acted.

Exclusivity in the distribution of blood sugar test strips for pharmacies can not be justified
„There is no justification for exclusivity of pharmacies in this area. By giving alternative providers a chance, competition for health insurances and legally insured patients will be stimulated. Other health insurances and service provider associations should check whether they have agreed similar clauses in their contracts, "said the President of the Federal Cartel Office, Andreas Mundt.

Since October 2011, physicians who are not insulin-dependent type 2 diabetics are only allowed to prescribe blood sugar test strips for prescriptions in exceptional cases according to the decision of the Federal Joint Committee, which additionally increases the price pressure in manufacturing and trade. (Ag)

Image: Michael Horn