Pharmacy Protest: On-Call Service Instead of Regular Operation on Monday - Brandenburg pharmacists strike over 13 years of frozen wages and rising costs

Pharmacists across Brandenburg will close their doors on Monday in protest over stagnant pay. The action comes as rising costs and fixed remuneration push many to the brink. Health Minister René Wilke confirmed that emergency pharmacies would stay open during the strike.

The protest highlights a long-standing issue: pharmacy compensation has not changed in 13 years. Since 2010, the per-package dispensing fee has remained at €8.35, despite soaring expenses. Personnel and material costs have jumped by around 65 percent since 2013, squeezing profits.

Brandenburg has already seen a decline in pharmacies, dropping from 580 in 2013 to 526 today. Nationally, the trend is similar—Germany had roughly 19,500 pharmacies in 2013, up slightly from 19,300 in 2010, but numbers have since fallen. Low pay is a key factor in this decline. The coalition agreement proposes raising the dispensing fee to €9.50, yet no changes have been made. Pharmacists argue that without fair compensation, more closures are inevitable.

Monday's strike underscores the financial strain on pharmacies across Brandenburg and beyond. With costs rising and fees frozen, the sector faces further reductions unless adjustments are implemented. The government's proposed fee increase remains delayed, leaving many pharmacists uncertain about their future.