Warning strike of pharmacists in Baden-Württemberg

Pharmacists demand higher compensation for their services

08/31/2012

The pharmacists in Baden-Württemberg are planning a warning strike to make their demands for an adjustment to the remuneration heard. The increase proposed by the Federal Ministry of Economics and the Federal Ministry of Health is unacceptable and does not even offer an inflation compensation, according to the criticism of the Landesapothekerverband (LAV) Baden-Württemberg.

Therefore, the pharmacists of Baden-Wuerttemberg will come on Wednesday (05 September) in the warning strike, according to the statement of the LAV. Together with the Federal Association of German Pharmacist Associations (ABDA) the LAV „For the approximately 21,300 self-employed pharmacists with their approximately 148,000 employees, a fee increase of about one euro per prescribed drug.“ The proposal from the ministries amounts to currently only 25 cents. First, in the pharmacies of the city of Esslingen and in the so-called emergency district Sigmaringen be started with the warning strike. The LAV President Fritz Becker stressed that longer-lasting work stoppages are not excluded.

Pharmacists disappointed by the proposals of the federal ministries
For weeks now, the dispute between pharmacists and politicians has been on the right level. Although the ministries involved have a solid database and intensive discussions with the pharmacists, so far „No acceptable draft for adequate remuneration“ been criticized the LAV boss. „We are more than disappointed“, after yesterday's talks in the Federal Ministry of Health and „The answer will now come from the pharmacies, "said Becker, starting next week, the pharmacists from Baden-Württemberg want to go on a warning strike. „The base is angry and completely disappointed - and equally affected throughout Germany“, Becker justified the warning strikes. Although the pharmacies in the two warning strikes regions are also on duty on strike days, the patients are to be served in the morning only by the emergency service, so the LAV release.

Deterioration in drug supply
Becker, who is not only chairman of the LAV Baden-Württemberg but also of the German Pharmacists Association, emphasized: „The system must also allow us what we need to fulfill our securing order.“ Therefore, it is an offer that will not even make up for inflation after more than eight years, „definitely not acceptable.“ The warning strikes should increase the pressure on the federal government or the participating ministries to achieve a significant increase in fees for pharmacies in Germany. According to the LAV chief, the supply of pharmaceuticals would be significantly worsened if the remuneration of pharmacists is not adjusted. At the moment, therefore, similar warning strikes are being considered in other federal states as well. Becker stressed that „In other regions, pharmacies may even close temporarily, even if temporarily, and only ensure emergency service. "(fp)

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Medicinal discounts: Pharmacists quarrel with cash registers
Pharmacist lobby & FDP: Together against competition?

Picture: siepmannH