Private insurers challenge new pharmacy law over unclear patient benefits
The Association of Private Health Insurance (PKV-Verband) has responded to the new Pharmacy Care Development Act (ApoVWG), which aims to expand the role of pharmacists in healthcare. While the group supports some measures, it has raised concerns about key proposals, including pricing rules and emergency medication access.
The act seeks to strengthen pharmacies as central points of contact for health advice, vaccinations, and early disease detection. But the PKV-Verband argues that several changes need closer examination before implementation.
The association welcomes plans to give pharmacists greater authority in vaccinations and, in exceptional cases, allow them to dispense long-term medications without a prescription. However, it remains sceptical about emergency dispensing of prescription-only drugs, questioning whether this can be safely managed in acute situations.
Another major point of debate is the pricing of compounded medications. The PKV-Verband insists that pricing negotiations should not be limited to the German Pharmacists' Association (DAV) and the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds (GKV-Spitzenverband). Instead, it demands a seat at the table to ensure private insurers and their policyholders also benefit from any cost savings.
The group also criticises the current funding model for pharmaceutical services, calling it ineffective. It argues that a new mechanism is needed and that legal changes should allow individual billing for privately insured patients. Additionally, the association questions whether counselling on behavioural risksâanother key part of the actâoffers real value to patients or can be properly delivered by pharmacists.
While the act encourages pharmacies to take on a bigger role in prevention and early detection, the PKV-Verband stresses that these expanded services must first be evaluated to prove their actual benefit. No data has been provided on how demand for such services has changed since the 2020 On-Site Pharmacy Strengthening Act came into force.
The PKV-Verband's response highlights both support and reservations about the ApoVWG. It backs measures to enhance pharmacists' roles but insists on clearer evidence of benefit for new services and fairer pricing negotiations.
The association's call for inclusion in discussions reflects broader concerns about how the act will impact privately insured patients. Further debates on funding, service evaluation, and emergency medication rules are expected before final decisions are made.
