Archive:
„Zu einer möglichst zielgerichteten Versorgung der Patientinnen und Patienten und für eine schnellere Terminvergabe setzen wir auf ein verbindliches Primärarztsystem bei freier Arztwahl durch Haus- und Kinderärzte in der Hausarztzentrierten Versorgung.“ So steht es im Koalitionsvertrag 2025 (1). Doch aus der Antwort der Bundesregierung auf eine Kleine Anfrage (2) mit dem Titel „Hausärztliche Strukturen als zentraler Bestandteil einer guten Primärversorgung in Deutschland“ der Fraktion BÜNDNIS 90/DIE GRÜNEN geht hervor, dass die Regierung inzwischen anscheinend doch weiter denkt.
05.10.2025
September 10th of this year was a truly special day for the German healthcare system. Shortly after noon, the German Healthcare Management Association (BMC) presented its latest position paper in its online "Spotlight" format, which opened "a new chapter for healthcare" and proposed "sector-independent care with value-based care" (page 42 ff.). Just a few hours later, a scientific symposium marked the retirement of Jürgen Klauber – who had served as Managing Director of the Scientific Institute of the AOK (WidO) for 30 years – focusing on his key topic of "quality of care." While the timing may be purely coincidental, it clearly demonstrates one thing: given the figures, data, and facts presented at this high-level symposium, the problem is not a lack of knowledge, but rather the absence of evidence in far too many political decisions, such as the "Wertheim miracle.".
05.10.2025
At the start of the first week of sessions after the summer recess, the German Association for Managed Care (BMC) called for a fundamental structural change in healthcare provision. In a position paper (1) and a regulatory proposal (2), the cross-sectoral association suggested creating a new, sector-independent care area, for which the functional mechanisms of value-based care should be enshrined in the German Social Code. The proposal was discussed in a digital spotlight session by BMC Chairman Prof. Dr. Lutz Hager and Dr. Regina Klakow-Franck (until June 2023 Deputy Director of the IQTIG Institute), who initiated the BMC paper.
05.10.2025
Kommentar von Dr. med. Niko Andre , Head Oncology Germany von AstraZeneca
05.10.2025
„Preise innovativer Arzneimittel in einem lernenden Gesundheitssystem“, lautet der Titel des aktuellen Gutachtens 2025 (1) des Sachverständigenrats zur Begutachtung der Entwicklung im Gesundheitswesen und in der Pflege (SVR) – ein Thema übrigens, das der Rat aus Eigeninteresse selbstständig gewählt hat. In diesem Gutachten versucht der für Gesundheit und Pflege (jedoch nicht für Wirtschafts- oder Standortförderung) […]
05.10.2025
The global effort to fight HIV/AIDS is at a turning point: In recent months, several countries – not only the USA, but also Germany, among others – have unexpectedly withdrawn pledged funding for international programs. The ambitious goal of ending the HIV epidemic by the end of this decade is thus threatening to become unattainable. With its webinar series "Science to Go," the HIV-specialized pharmaceutical company ViiV Healthcare provided an initial assessment of the global and national repercussions of these austerity measures. Speakers included Prof. Dr. Hendrik Streeck, Member of the German Bundestag and Federal Government Commissioner for Drug Issues, and Dr. Hannah Linke, Senior Consultant at the Acquired Immunodeficiency Clinic of the University Hospital of Münster.
05.10.2025
In January of this year, the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) commissioned the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) to prepare a scientific report on the methodology for generating and evaluating care-related data in the context of ongoing data collection (AbD). A preliminary rapid report (1) has been available since the end of July. Interested parties were able to submit written comments until August 19. Just under a month later, on September 16, the IQWiG conducted a scientific discussion.
05.10.2025
Expectations influence health – both positively and negatively. Scientific studies show that positive expectations not only trigger placebo effects but can also activate physiological healing processes and increase the effectiveness of treatments. Negative expectations – so-called nocebo effects – can, on the other hand, exacerbate symptoms, cause side effects, or reduce therapeutic success. For the healthcare sector, this means that every form of health communication – whether in personal consultations, nursing care, therapeutic settings, pharmacies, via digital services, or through media coverage – can shape expectations and thus influence the course of an illness. This knowledge is relevant not only for medical professionals but also for stakeholders in healthcare provision, patient information, self-help groups, prevention, and health policy.
05.10.2025
A key factor in employee intrinsic motivation is the meaning and purpose of their work. For example, if a company primarily aims to create social value and this purpose aligns with the personal purpose of its employees, this positively influences work motivation. However, if the company pursues a purpose that does not align with that of its employees—for instance, if the company is intended to increase the owners' wealth and the service provided is merely a means to an end—this has a dampening effect on motivation. (Dinos et al., 2016; Teichmann & Hüning, 2018) A purpose-driven company is one that aligns all decisions and activities with achieving its purpose. The private interests of the owners take a back seat to achieving the purpose, a principle so firmly enshrined in the articles of association that it cannot be changed by the owners alone. (Hoffmann, 2024; Hoffmann & Schumacher, 2023; Rey, Velasco & Almandoz, 2019)
05.10.2025
Ensuring the continuous availability of medicines is crucial in healthcare, and supply shortages are a growing problem [1]. These are caused by global supply chain disruptions, production problems, and increasing demand [2], which can lead to significant supply problems and jeopardize patient care. Established inventory management and forecasting methods often reach their limits. According to the German Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM), a supply shortage is defined as "an interruption of delivery at the usual level lasting longer than two weeks or a significantly increased demand that cannot be adequately met" [1]. For patients, this becomes relevant when the prescribed medicine or an alternative medicine is not in stock and cannot be ordered from wholesalers in a timely manner. This would constitute a supply shortage. Legislation already addresses this problem in the Pharmacy Operations Ordinance, which stipulates: „[E]very pharmacy must keep in stock medicinal products and pharmacy-only medical devices sufficient to meet at least the average demand for one week“ (§ 15 ApBetrO). Furthermore, § 52b (1) of the German Medicines Act (AMG) states: „Pharmaceutical companies and operators of pharmaceutical wholesalers [...] shall ensure an adequate and continuous supply of the medicinal product so that the needs of patients within the scope of this Act are met.“