Pharmacy Protest: On-Call Service Instead of Regular Operation on Monday - Brandenburg pharmacies shut down in protest over stagnant pay and rising costs

Pharmacies across Brandenburg will close their doors on Monday as part of a widespread protest. The action comes after years of financial strain, with pharmacists demanding fairer compensation. Since 2013, the number of pharmacies in Germany has dropped sharply by nearly a fifth.

The protest highlights long-standing frustrations over stagnant pay. For 13 years, the dispensing fee per package has remained frozen at €8.35, even as operating costs have soared. Pharmacists argue that personnel and material expenses have risen by about 65% since 2013, squeezing profits.

Nationwide, the number of pharmacies has fallen from 20,662 in 2013 to just 16,601 by the end of 2025. Brandenburg alone has lost 54 pharmacies in the same period, dropping from 580 to 526. While the coalition government agreed to raise the fee to €9.50, the change has yet to take effect. Despite the closures, all emergency pharmacies will stay open during the protest. The action aims to push for urgent reforms in how pharmacies are funded.

The protest underscores the financial pressures forcing many pharmacies to shut down. With costs rising and fees unchanged, the industry warns of further closures without intervention. The outcome of Monday's action could influence whether the planned fee increase is finally implemented.