Health: Pharmacies complain a few “shortage of supply” – dm is planning an internet store for over-the-counter medicines | EUROtoday

The drugstore chain dm desires to enter the commerce in over-the-counter however pharmacy-only medicines.

“We will offer non-prescription OTC products online that customers have previously only been able to buy in pharmacies,” stated dm boss Christoph Werner to the “Frankfurter Allgemeine”. These items shouldn’t be provided in shops, therefore the route by way of an internet store.

Werner referred to the decline in pharmacy density: Statistically talking, one pharmacy closes each day. The Federal Association of German Pharmacists Associations reported final week that the variety of pharmacies in Germany fell to 17,041 final yr, its lowest degree since 1978. In 2024 there have been nonetheless 20 pharmacies per 100,000 residents.

According to his personal statements, the dm boss can also be speculating on regulatory adjustments sooner or later. Demographic change is altering buyer wants and well being care prices are growing on the similar time, he stated. It is foreseeable that one thing should change.

Werner rejected the accusation of accelerating the demise of pharmacies. “Entrepreneurial pharmacists” would have nice alternatives after liberalization. “We are therefore not interested in competing with pharmacies, but rather in making our contribution to an affordable supply of health products in Germany,” he assured.

In addition to the decline in pharmacy density, the availability scenario with medicines in Germany can also be a serious drawback.

Many vital medicines are at the moment in brief provide in Germany. The North Rhine Pharmacists’ Association is worried about shortages of vital medicines. “There has been a serious lack of supply for seven active ingredients since last year and continues to exist. These include essential medications such as saline solutions, antibiotic juices for children, salbutamol for inhalation for asthma and folinic acid, which is used in cancer therapies,” stated Thomas Preis, head of the affiliation, to the “Rheinische Post” (Tuesday).

“A lack of care is only identified if the authorities assess the care of the affected patients as very critical. Unfortunately, dangerous supply shortage situations are increasing from year to year,” stated Preis.