Brandenburg tests longer pharmacy shifts to ease staff strain and secure supplies
A new pilot scheme for pharmacy emergency services has launched in Brandenburg. The changes, announced by the Brandenburg Chamber of Pharmacists in early February, aim to ease pressure on staff while ensuring patients still get vital medicines. Pharmacists like Peter Schmieder in Golzow are watching the reforms with cautious optimism.
The trial began on March 1 and will run until December 31. Under the new system, emergency shifts now rotate every 20 days instead of every 13. This adjustment follows a survey by the State Chamber of Pharmacists, which found most urgent demand occurs at weekends.
Originally, the reform was set to start on January 1, 2023, under former Health Minister Ursula Nonnemacher. The delay allowed for further planning. Jens Dobbert, president of the chamber, explained that the goal is twofold: maintaining supply security and reducing strain on pharmacy teams. However, he acknowledged that patients may need to travel further for emergency care.
For Schmieder, the changes bring mixed feelings. While he welcomes fewer shifts, he still finds emergency duty personally taxingâeven with a licensed assistant. The reform also introduces higher pay for these services, nearly doubling compensation. Schmieder considers this a fair trade-off, as it won't greatly affect his earnings.
He also suggested a practical alternative: placing emergency pharmacy services inside hospitals. This, he argued, would be more efficient than requiring patients to search for a 'pharmacy near me' or a 'cvs pharmacy' that's open.
The pilot project will test whether longer shift rotations and increased pay can make emergency services sustainable. Pharmacists will monitor its impact on workload and patient access. The results could shape future policies for Brandenburg's pharmacy network.
