Monday, March 23
Most of the 16,600 pharmacies in Germany are closed today, except for emergency services. Those who urgently need medication, therefore, should not worry. The Berlin Chamber of Pharmacists stated, “Pharmaceutical supplies are guaranteed even during the day of protest – this is ensured by the emergency pharmacies.” However, patients should be aware of longer distances to the nearest emergency service pharmacy, the list of which can be found online.
The Germany-wide protest is the largest of its kind and the second one since 2023. It has been organised by the Federal Association of German Pharmacists Associations and was announced in Berlin by the Berlin Pharmacists Association and the Brandenburg Pharmacists Association.
They are protesting insufficient economic conditions for the pharmacies and a persistent wave of closures. Anke Rüdinger, chairwoman of the Berlin Pharmacists Association, stated, “Anyone who continues to let the local pharmacies bleed economically out endangers the nationwide, safe and fast drug supply for citizens.”
Underfunding plays a huge role, with many pharmacies in Brandenburg especially facing closure. The fee for the delivery of prescription drugs has not increased for 13 years, but wages and costs have.
In addition to the pharmacy closures, demonstrations will take place today in Berlin, as well as Munich, Düsseldorf and Hanover.
