Stuttgart – September 08, 2026 -- Pharma Deutschland's Baden-Württemberg chapter and MEDIVERBUND AG kicked off development of a regional action plan aimed at strengthening self-medication as a lever to relieve pressure on doctors' offices and build a more resilient healthcare system.
Industry and physician groups agree self-medication can free up doctor capacity
At the "Selbstverständlich Selbstmedikation" event, representatives from politics, medicine, pharmacies, health insurers and the pharmaceutical industry discussed conditions needed to expand patient self-treatment for minor ailments. Dr. Traugott Ullrich, chairman of Pharma Deutschland's Baden-Württemberg association, argued that low-threshold self-medication allows patients to treat or prevent minor health issues while pharmacies handle counseling and physicians retain capacity for more complex cases.
Ullrich said the health-policy benefits of self-medication for both patients and the healthcare system remain underrepresented in political debate, calling for stronger public health literacy, expanded pharmacy counseling and greater legislative attention to the issue.
Participants push for earlier health education in schools
Attendees called for health competency to be taught from a young age, covering nutrition, movement, social relationships and responsible medication use. Dr. Michael Preusch, health policy spokesman for the CDU faction in the Baden-Württemberg state parliament, backed anchoring health education and first-aid training more firmly in school curricula.
Physician association flags drug-interaction risks in chronic care
Dr. Norbert Smetak, chairman of MEDI Baden-Württemberg e.V., stressed that communication between patients, physicians and pharmacists is critical, particularly for chronically ill patients on long-term medication. Knowledge of which over-the-counter drugs a patient is additionally taking is necessary to catch potential interactions early, he said, adding that patient safety must remain the top priority.
The event marked the starting point for a formal action plan on self-medication policy in Baden-Württemberg, with organizers signaling continued engagement across the pharmacy, medical and insurance sectors.