zeit.de
German Online Pharmacies Boom After E-Prescription Launch
Online pharmacies in Germany experienced a 7.8% surge in sales to €423.1 million in Q1 2025, fueled by the January 2024 e-prescription mandate allowing digital prescription redemption, contrasting with a drop in physical pharmacies to their lowest number since 1978.
- What is the impact of the e-prescription system on the sales of online pharmacies in Germany?
- Online pharmacies in Germany saw a 7.8% increase in sales to €423.1 million in the first quarter of 2025, driven by the introduction of e-prescriptions. This growth reflects a broader trend of increasing digitalization in healthcare, with patients adopting online appointment booking and consultations.
- How does the growth of online pharmacies relate to the decline in the number of traditional pharmacies in Germany?
- The rise of online pharmacies is partly a response to the decline in the number of traditional pharmacies, currently at its lowest level since 1978. The e-prescription system, introduced in January 2024, allows patients to choose between redeeming prescriptions at a physical pharmacy or online, contributing to the growth of online pharmacies like DocMorris and Medpex.
- What are the long-term implications of the increasing reliance on online pharmacies for medication access in Germany?
- The continued growth of online pharmacies suggests a long-term shift in how Germans access medications. This trend, coupled with the ongoing closure of traditional pharmacies, especially in rural areas, raises questions about equitable access to healthcare and the future of pharmaceutical distribution in Germany. The significant increase in sales of prescription drugs online (69% year-on-year for Redcare Pharmacy) underscores this significant market transformation.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The headline and introductory paragraphs emphasize the strong growth of online pharmacies and the decline of traditional ones. This framing, while factually accurate regarding the figures presented, might create a narrative that implicitly favors online pharmacies without acknowledging counterarguments.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the growth of online pharmacies and the decline of traditional pharmacies, but omits discussion of potential downsides to online pharmacies such as increased risks of medication errors, difficulties in verifying prescriptions, and patient privacy concerns. It also doesn't address the perspectives of traditional pharmacists who might be negatively affected by this shift.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a somewhat false dichotomy between online and traditional pharmacies, implying that one is replacing the other. It doesn't fully explore the potential for coexistence or the possibility of hybrid models.
Sustainable Development Goals
The increase in online pharmacies improves access to medication, especially in rural areas where traditional pharmacies are closing. This ensures that people can obtain necessary medicines, contributing positively to their health and well-being. The quote "Mit Blick auf das Apotheken-Sterben auf dem Land werden Online-Apotheken immer wichtiger, um den Menschen einen gleichwertigen Zugang zu Medikamenten zu garantieren" highlights this positive impact.