Pharmacies in crisis: Uncovered risks threaten supply!

Pharmacies in crisis: Uncovered risks threaten supply!

The future of pharmacies is in jeopardy. In particular, dealing with high-priced drugs, such as the expensive eliglustat (Cerdelga), poses serious economic challenges. Loud pressebox.de The value of this medication can increase to up to 178,000 euros per prescription. However, pharmacies are increasingly under pressure because such medicines are often dispensed without sufficient structural security.

The insurance system does not yet offer comprehensive protection for pharmacies, which have to bear the supply risk themselves. At the same time, insurers react hesitantly and often only offer sketchy policies. In this tense climate, pharmacies have fewer and fewer options to protect themselves against economic damage. There is an urgent need for differentiated protection that takes particular account of the challenges associated with high-cost individual regulations and digital damage.

Risks and need for action

The risks for pharmacies have increased in recent years and the existing insurance system appears outdated. Many pharmacies are insured in a state that cannot keep up with the current challenges. An example from the Rhine-Main region has shown that technical errors or delays in approvals can lead to significant economic problems.

It is particularly critical that most insurance policies do not adequately cover these risks. The need for action is evident in order to develop tailor-made insurance and dynamic coverage concepts. Pharmacy managers could achieve economic stability and better coverage for patient care through a targeted insurance strategy. But there is often a lack of the necessary knowledge as well as binding standards and state-sponsored models for pharmacy insurance.

The Gaucher disease case

Another area of ​​health care, Gaucher disease, also shows a need for increased education and resources. This rare inherited disease, which occurs at a rate of 1:40,000 in Central Europe and up to 1:2,000 in some countries such as Israel, is the most common sphingolipidosis. The causes lie in an autosomal recessive defect in glucocerebrosidase, which leads to a reduced capacity to break down sphingolipids.

Symptoms include hepatosplenomegaly, fatigue, and bone and neurological complaints in 5-10% of cases. It can be noted that only 10-20% of those affected in Germany are correctly diagnosed. Therapy often involves enzyme replacement therapy with glucocerebrosidase, which leads to a regression of symptoms and improves the general condition of those affected. Despite existing therapies, there is a great need for information, especially about new approaches such as gene therapy, which is showing initial promising results in the USA.

The patient-supporting self-help group “Gaucher Gesellschaft Deutschland” plays an important role in the care of those affected and could be a valuable resource for information and support. Given the challenges both pharmacies and patients are experiencing in today's healthcare landscape, a more connected approach is urgently needed.