Pharmacy Protest: On-Call Service Instead of Regular Operation on Monday - German pharmacies stage mass closures to protest stagnant pay and rising costs
Pharmacies across Germany are facing growing financial pressure as their numbers continue to drop. Since 2013, the total has fallen from 20,662 to just 16,601 by the end of 2025—a decline of nearly one-fifth. Now, many in Brandenburg will close for a day in protest over stagnant pay and rising costs.
The last increase to pharmacy compensation came 13 years ago, leaving the per-package dispensing fee stuck at €8.35. Meanwhile, personnel and material costs have jumped by about 65 percent since 2013. Pharmacists argue that their earnings no longer cover basic expenses, forcing some to shut down entirely.
The coalition government has proposed raising the fee to €9.50, but no changes have been made yet. Health Minister René Wilke (SPD) has promised that emergency pharmacies will stay open despite the action. Still, Monday's planned protest will see many in Brandenburg close their doors, disrupting services for customers. The steady decline in pharmacy numbers reflects years of financial strain. With no adjustments to fees and soaring operational costs, industry leaders warn that more closures are likely unless conditions improve.
The protest highlights the widening gap between fixed compensation and real-world expenses. If the proposed fee increase fails to materialise, further pharmacy closures could follow. Customers may face longer-term consequences as access to local services dwindles.
