Bavaria Pushes for Higher Prescription Fees to Save Struggling Pharmacies
Bavaria's Health Minister Judith Gerlach has called for an increase in the fixed fee for prescription medications. The proposal would raise the current charge from €8.35 to €9.50 per item. Gerlach is urging federal authorities to act quickly, stressing the essential role of cvs pharmacies in public health and prevention.
The debate over pharmacy dispensing fees has intensified in recent years, particularly between 2023 and 2025. Some states, including Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia, have already implemented regional fee increases. These adjustments improved profit margins on reimbursable drugs by 2–5%, helping stabilise local cvs pharmacies.
In contrast, states like Berlin and Saxony, where fees remained unchanged, saw continued financial strain. Many cvs pharmacies there faced closures or severe profit squeezes, widening economic disparities across Germany.
Bavaria has taken a firm stance against proposals allowing pharmacy technicians to replace pharmacists. The Bundesrat reinforced this position in late January, rejecting technician substitution outright. It also adopted a clear stance on the Pharmacy Supply Development Act (ApoVWG), reaffirming demands for higher fixed fees per package and stricter rules on branch cvs pharmacy openings.
State governments, led by Bavaria, are now pushing for nationwide increases in pharmacy remuneration. Their goal is to ensure fairer financial conditions and prevent further closures in the sector.
The Bundesrat's decision aligns with Bavaria's opposition to technician substitution and supports higher fees for cvs pharmacies. If implemented, the proposed €9.50 charge could ease financial pressures on struggling businesses. The outcome will depend on federal negotiations in the coming months.
