German Greens Propose Pharmaceutical Cost Savings While Politics Support Enhanced Role for Pharmacies

The Green Party's parliamentary group in Germany has introduced a comprehensive proposal aimed at generating savings in the pharmaceutical sector to help stabilize statutory health insurance (GKV) funding. Their motion in the Bundestag calls for modernizing drug pricing regulations, including interim prices upon drug market entry, removing the 'additional benefit fiction' for orphan drugs, and introducing a drug budget for high-cost patented medications. Greens' Paula Piechotta emphasized adopting Health Expert Council recommendations to adjust price regulation for sustainability.

Meanwhile, CSU politician Stephan Pilsinger welcomed Federal Health Minister Nina Warken's dialogue initiation with the pharmaceutical industry to develop an 'AMNOG 2.0' process for better negotiation structures. The Greens also propose simplifications like combination therapy discounts and binding tiered pricing based on sales thresholds, alongside establishing a central coordination office for clinical studies to accelerate evidence-based pricing adjustments.

In parallel political discourse, Hubert Aiwanger expressed strong support for pharmacies, highlighting the need to strengthen pharmacists as free professionals and cautioning against reforms that might reduce care quality or patient trust. Advocating for sustainable digitalization, reduced bureaucracy, and fair compensation, Aiwanger urged coordinated regional healthcare efforts involving pharmacies, doctors, midwives, and hospitals to ensure optimal service provision.

Together, these developments reflect Germany's dual focus on cost containment in pharmaceutical spending and reinforcing the role of pharmacies within the healthcare delivery system, balancing financial sustainability with quality patient care.