Berlin – October 29, 2026 -- Germany's pharmacist federation ABDA is lobbying the Bundesrat to retain the pharmacy-only dispensing requirement. It argues that the emergency care reform passed by the Bundestag on October 15 would let physicians dispense medicines directly and weaken drug safety checks.
Reform allows doctors to dispense drugs in emergency centers and out-of-hours services
The Notfallversorgungsreformgesetz would let physicians hand medicines directly to patients, for example in Integrated Emergency Centers and ambulatory emergency services. ABDA President Thomas Preis says this circumvents the pharmacy obligation, which protects patients from medication errors and misuse.
Preis describes the established pharmacist-physician four-eyes principle as a central safeguard. He says pharmacists are the last control point before a drug is dispensed, responsible for correct intake and dosage.
ABDA says the law creates parallel structures despite functioning pharmacy night service
According to Preis, pharmacies already run nationwide, round-the-clock night and emergency services that work well. He sees no reason for legislative action in this area and says the reform creates parallel drug supply structures.
Pharmacy emergency service economics at risk if physician dispensing replaces prescriptions
ABDA also flags financial exposure. If most prescriptions issued during emergency service are replaced by physician dispensing, the economic viability of pharmacy emergency service would suffer, Preis says. Further closures of pharmacies could then remove additional emergency services and hit local patient supply.
Bundesrat committee takes up the law November 4, plenary vote set for November 20
The Bundesrat's health committee puts the law on its agenda on November 4. The Bundesrat plenary is scheduled to vote on November 20. ABDA has published an updated position paper and is urging the federal states to defend the pharmacy obligation without exceptions.