Drug supply in danger: Minister calls for measures in SH!

Drug supply in danger: Minister calls for measures in SH!

An important exchange on security of supply of medicines in Schleswig-Holstein took place in Hohenlockstedt. Health Minister Kerstin von der Decken specified the challenges that not only affect the federal states, but also Europe, when she received representatives of the Northern Regional Association of Pharma Germany and the VCI Nord. The minister emphasized the large, complex tasks that have to be mastered in the production of pharmaceuticals. She referred to the progress in addressing these issues at European level, particularly with regard to strengthening the supply of critical medicines. This was reported by Nachrichten Today.

Babette Reiken, chairwoman of the North Regional Association of Pharma Germany, made it clear how important reliable framework conditions are for the pharmaceutical industry and also called for secure financing for statutory health insurance (GKV). These aspects are central because the supply of pharmaceuticals is not only a challenge for the industry, but also for public health in Germany. A good hand in pricing the basic medication is also crucial, as innovations and the necessary financial basis for them were also discussed.

Challenges of drug supply

As part of the exchange, Ilse Boskamp from G. Pohl-Boskamp GmbH called for an adjustment to the Medicines Market Reorganization Act (AMNOG) in order to ensure economic sufficiency and the diversity of medicines. Your company sees itself as having a responsibility for the supply of medicines and emphasized the need to stabilize the legal framework. In keeping with the principle “prevention is better than cure”, digitalization also played a central theme. The opportunities in digital healthcare and the use of health data in Schleswig-Holstein were discussed.

Schleswig-Holstein plays a key role in drug monitoring. The State Office for Social Services monitors the companies involved in the drug trade in Schleswig-Holstein. Inspections are carried out and samples of drugs are sent to the Institute for Pharmaceutical and Applied Analytics (InphA GmbH) for examination. The Schleswig-Holstein Chamber of Pharmacists also plays a key role in this by representing over 3,000 pharmacists and taking on essential tasks for organizing emergency pharmacies and planning central emergency depots, as if it were the linchpin for the supply of medicines in the state. These aspects are important in order to analyze undesirable side effects of drugs and to ensure quality, as schleswig-holstein.de explains.

Focus on drug supply

Drug supply in Germany is a complex system and at the same time represents the second largest volume of expenditure in statutory health insurance. The constant reform efforts are reflected in the legal regulations on pricing, which are intended to control the financial burden in the healthcare system. The focus is not only on the quality, but also on the economic compatibility of the drug supply. Recent changes, such as the lifting of the ban on multiple ownership and the approval of mail order sales, have made the market more dynamic. But the pressure to contain costs remains high, as spending in the pharmaceutical sector is constantly increasing, as bpb.de summarizes.

The discussions between players from the pharmaceutical industry and politics are a necessary step in order to overcome future challenges in drug supply. The last meeting in Hohenlockstedt shows how important dialogue is in finding solutions to the multitude of issues that affect both the industry and patients.