Pharmacists in Saxony Hit the Streets Over Reform Plans
The drugstore specialists in Saxony have shown their disapproval against the reform proposals put forth by Germany's Health Minister, Lauterbach (SPD). Thomas Dittrich, the chairman of the Saxon Pharmacists' Association, declared their unwavering stance, saying, "We won't back down until our three main requests are addressed in a future-proof pharmacy reform." These demands include improving financial conditions, prohibiting the opening of pharmacies without a pharmacist on-site, and deregulation.
At the rally at Postplatz, Saxony's Health Minister, Petra Köpping (SPD), expressed her understanding of the pharmacists' frustration. "We share concerns that medication availability might be affected," she observed. Pharmacists provide essential and skilled services, often serving as the first point of contact for many people, particularly in rural areas where the local pharmacy should be protected.
The pharmacists' dissatisfaction echoed in Erfurt as well, where a rally was held in unison with the Dresden demonstration. Last year, nationwide protest actions were staged, and pharmacists from eastern German states gathered in Dresden. However, the anticipated changes have yet to materialize, as indicated in the announcement.
Dentists in Saxony also voiced their concerns, announcing a closure of their practices from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM on a Thursday for an internal info session and protest event. This decision was made by the state dental chamber due to the rising number of dental practices shutting down without successors, posing a threat to comprehensive and local dental care in Saxony.
The Saxon Pharmacists' Association, under the leadership of Thomas Dittrich, is actively negotiating with the association to address their concerns in the pharmacy reform. Despite Health Minister Lauterbach's SPD's reform plans, Petra Köpping, the Saxony's Health Minister, acknowledged the importance of safeguarding rural pharmacies as they serve as the primary healthcare point for many individuals.
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Despite the government's efforts to address the COVID-19 pandemic and implement reforms, the pharmacists and dentists in Saxony firmly stand against these changes, as they believe that these reforms will negatively impact their financial conditions, the availability of medication, and the overall healthcare service in rural areas.
