Resolution of the German Pharmacists' Day: No tenders for vaccines

19.10.2012 14:40

The general meeting of the German Pharmacists' Day in Munich today called for the abandonment of tenders and discount agreements for vaccines. After the chaos in some regions of the republic regarding the supply of flu vaccines, the statutory health insurance companies should no longer advertise such contracts in the future in the interest of safe, timely and preventive care.

The chairman of the German Pharmacists Association (DAV), Fritz Becker: “At the beginning of the flu season, in some regions there are not sufficient quantities of vaccination doses available. Here the economic interests of the health insurance companies counteract people's legitimate interests in adequate care. This must be stopped immediately.”

For some time now, health insurance companies have been tendering vaccine contracts at regional level, which are awarded exclusively based on the cheapest price and for which manufacturers can apply. If delivery problems arise from the respective tender winners, this can very quickly lead to supply gaps. “We demand priority for security of supply,” said Becker.