IFH: Pharmacists expect restrictions for consumers
25.10.2010 15:20
October results of APOkix published
Federal government representatives are demanding savings from pharmaceutical wholesalers and pharmacies. A total of 400 million euros per year. This is to be regulated by adjusting the wholesale remuneration within the Medicines Market Reorganization Act (AMNOG), which is due to come into force on January 1, 2011. In view of the current drafts, the Federal Association of German Pharmacists Associations - ABDA fears that the overexploitation of pharmacies will threaten the existence of many pharmacists. With side effects for the population: If pharmacies had to drastically reduce costs or even close, the quality of drug supply would ultimately suffer. The pharmacists also share this assessment, as the current results of the pharmacy business index APOkix from the Cologne Institute for Retail Research (IFH) show. 260 pharmacists from all over Germany took part in the APOkix October survey.
Performance of German pharmacies at risk
German pharmacists assume that the planned changes to remuneration structures at the wholesale level will have a massive impact on the profitability and performance of pharmacies. In the September survey by APOkix, nine out of ten of those surveyed said that this would massively worsen the economic situation of their pharmacies. The consumer bears the consequences: 89% of the pharmacists surveyed in October expect that the planned change in wholesale remuneration will result in a noticeable reduction in the performance of public pharmacies in Germany. This means that the upcoming political decisions will also be relevant for consumers. The high quality of care provided by pharmacies could crumble in some places in the future.
Business situation satisfactory – future prospects pessimistic
The majority (57%) rate the current business situation as satisfactory. Around one in four people are satisfied with the economic situation of their own pharmacy and rate it as “good”. 17% are faced with a “bad” business situation. Compared to the previous month, the assessment of the current economic situation is slightly better. The turbulence in the industry is primarily reflected in the assessment of future business development: 77% fear a deterioration in their economic situation in the next six months. Only around 6% expect a positive development, 17% do not expect any changes. Business expectations in October are therefore significantly more pessimistic compared to the previous month.