Germany Approves Draft Law to Strengthen Local Pharmacies (ApoVWG) | iPharmaCenter
- Badari Andukuri
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
The Federal Cabinet has approved a draft legislation known as the Pharmacy Services Development Act (ApoVWG) on December 17, 2025. This new framework is designed to modernize and enhance the role of pharmacies across Germany, particularly focusing on expanding healthcare access in rural communities and streamlining administrative processes.
Strengthening Pharmacy Infrastructure
The legislation introduces financial support for partial emergency services, especially benefiting pharmacies operating in rural and remote areas. This initiative aims to ensure continuous access to essential medicines even in regions with limited healthcare infrastructure. The law also simplifies the establishment of branch pharmacies to enhance drug availability in underserved communities.
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Expanded Professional Roles and Rural Support
Under a pilot scheme, qualified pharmaceutical technical assistants (PTAs) may temporarily take charge of managing pharmacies in rural regions. They will be allowed to serve as interim managers for up to 20 days per year, ensuring uninterrupted pharmacy operations during staff shortages or absences.
New Preventive Healthcare Services
To improve public health outcomes, pharmacies will soon offer additional preventive services targeting cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and tobacco-related illnesses. These Pharmaceutical Services (PDS) will focus on early risk detection and patient education. Records of each PDS will be integrated into patients’ electronic health records (EHRs), enabling better coordination with treating physicians. Moreover, doctors will be able to prescribe these preventive services directly.
Broader Vaccination Authority
Pharmacies will gain authorization to administer a broader range of non-live vaccines, including immunizations against tetanus and tick-borne encephalitis. This expansion will come alongside updated training requirements for pharmacists and structured reimbursement agreements for these additional vaccination services.
Limited Prescription-Free Dispensing
The law permits pharmacists to dispense certain prescription-only medicines without requiring a doctor’s prescription under specific conditions. This provision applies to follow-up care for chronic conditions and minor acute illnesses. However, it excludes medications prone to abuse, dependence, or systemic antibiotics. The Federal Ministry of Health (BMG), in consultation with the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) and professional associations, will define the specific drugs and eligibility criteria through upcoming regulatory guidelines.
Diagnostic Testing and Advertising
Pharmacies and authorized care facilities will now be able to offer rapid diagnostic tests for infections such as influenza, RSV, norovirus, rotavirus, and adenovirus. Additionally, amendments to the German Medicines Advertising Act will allow pharmacies to promote self-testing kits and testing services more openly, even outside professional circles.
Reimbursement and Dispensing Flexibility
Health insurance funds will no longer be permitted to deny reimbursement based on minor administrative errors if the dispensed drug matches the prescription in dose, packaging, and formulation. Pharmacies will also be allowed to dispense alternative in-stock medications when discounted versions are unavailable, initially under a time-limited trial period.
Operational Modernization
Branch pharmacies will have the option of dual management, allowing two pharmacists to share responsibilities by dividing duties either temporally or operationally. In addition, prescriptions for nursing home residents can be transmitted directly to the partner pharmacy providing home-care services, enhancing coordination between care providers.
The law also authorizes pharmacies to extend the use of automated storage systems to include controlled substances packaged as finished medicinal products.
Accompanying Regulation and Financial Adjustments
Parallel to the ApoVWG, the Federal Ministry of Health has released a supplementary regulation addressing pharmacy remuneration and operational standards. Key elements include:
Annual fee negotiations between the German Pharmacists’ Association and statutory health insurers.
Reintroduction of standard trade discounts for transactions between pharmacies and wholesalers.
Nearly doubled subsidies for night and emergency pharmacy services, particularly benefiting rural pharmacies.
Permission for pharmacies to charge supplementary patient fees when dispensing certain medicines without a medical prescription.
Enhanced flexibility in staff scheduling and opening hours.
Stricter quality and safety standards for mail-order pharmacies.
The ApoVWG represents a significant step toward bolstering Germany’s community pharmacy network, improving equitable access to healthcare, and promoting a stronger role for pharmacists in preventive medicine.
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