Green pharmacy in Lübeck closes: another victim of the pharmacy decline?

Green pharmacy in Lübeck closes: another victim of the pharmacy decline?

In Lübeck, the “Green Pharmacy” will close its doors on August 31, 2025. This was recently announced via a notice on the front door, and the news has caused great regret among regular customers. The pharmacy, which is housed in the “Medical Center at Marien Hospital” (MZM) in the former C & A building on Mühlenstrasse, was opened five and a half years ago and has looked after many patients since then. The economic reasons for the closure are diverse and frightening: high rents and rising costs for personnel and operations are putting a considerable strain on profitability, says Dr. Rudi Alisch, the owner of the pharmacy, who will work as an employee in Stockelsdorf in the future. Part of his team can follow him there.

Unfortunately, this situation is not an isolated case. Loud Pharmacy look around The number of pharmacies in Germany has fallen continuously in recent years. At the end of 2023 there were only 17,571 pharmacies left. The forecast that 540 more pharmacies are expected to close in 2024 is particularly alarming. In Lübeck alone, 18 pharmacies have thrown in the towel since 2013. There are currently only 40 pharmacies in the city and a decline is in sight.

Reasons for the decline of pharmacies

The decline in pharmacies is the result of numerous factors. In recent years, staff and operational costs have increased noticeably, while reimbursement for prescription drugs has not been adjusted since 2013. This means that many pharmacies are no longer economically viable. “We see red” is the name of a campaign that was launched by the Federal Association of German Pharmacists Associations (ABDA) to draw attention to the precarious situation, and while many pharmacists are wearing red coats, it becomes clear: there is a need for action!

The ABDA warns that a quarter of pharmacies are at acute risk if reforms are not made. This is also due to the fact that pharmacies are receiving fewer and fewer orders as customers increasingly order online. Another problem is the shortage of skilled workers: many pharmacists are migrating to industry or hospitals, which further exacerbates the situation. In 2023, a typical pharmacy's profit before taxes was 148,000 euros, which represents a decrease compared to the previous year. A third of pharmacy owners' operating profit is even lower than the salary of an employed hospital pharmacist.

Outlook for the future

The federal government is reportedly planning some reforms that will improve the situation. Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach would like to redistribute funds in the pharmacy market and stipulate that pharmaceutical-technical assistants can take over the work of pharmacists. However, whether this can maintain the quality of drug supply remains to be seen. Professor Dr. Udo di Fabio has already pointed out the state's duty to protect medicines, which also includes the fundamental right to life and physical integrity.

In Lübeck, the closure of the “Green Pharmacy” is just another pillar in a worrying trend. While the number of pharmacies across Germany is steadily falling, the remaining players are waiting for a solution so that they do not become the next victims of the so-called pharmacy death. But while those responsible are discussing reforms, Dr. Alisch has already made his decision and will soon go new ways.