Lower Saxony unifies pharmacy contracts for practice medications by 2026

A historic shift for pharmacies in Lower Saxony: one contract replaces dozens. How this change will streamline medication supplies—and why it took years to negotiate.

, and Administrator

2026 March 13 . 9:11 AM

1 min read

The image shows a man getting a vaccine from a doctor wearing purple gloves. The doctor is holding... — The image shows a man getting a vaccine from a doctor wearing purple gloves. The doctor is holding a syringe and injecting the vaccine into the man's mouth.

Lower Saxony unifies pharmacy contracts for practice medications by 2026

A new unified contract for supplying practice medications in Lower Saxony has been signed. The agreement between the State Pharmacists' Association (LAV) and statutory health insurance funds replaces a patchwork of older arrangements. It takes effect on July 1, 2023, and applies to all pharmacies serving contract doctors in the state.

The previous system of individual agreements was terminated by the LAV at the end of 2025. Extensive negotiations followed, leading to this new standardised framework. A no-strike clause was included to ensure uninterrupted supply until the contract began.

For the first time, the agreement applies standard priority rules for dispensing finished medicines to practice supplies. These supplies cover medications and materials used during treatments for multiple patients or in emergencies. The contract also introduces a two-phase adjustment for vaccine delivery payments, starting at 80 cents per dose and rising to €1 once contract targets are met. The new framework will fully replace all prior agreements by July 1, 2026. It covers every pharmacy supplying practice medications to contract physicians across Lower Saxony, creating a single, consistent system.

The contract sets clear rules for remuneration, priority dispensing, and supply continuity. Pharmacies in Lower Saxony will now operate under the same conditions when providing practice medications. The changes aim to simplify processes for both pharmacies and health insurance providers.