European pharmacy reforms expand access with remote services and home delivery

Germany's Bundestag approved the ApoVWG pharmacy reform, allowing rural pharmacies to operate without a pharmacist on site for up to 20 days a year under a five‑year pilot program. The law, supported by the CDU/CSU‑SPD coalition, aims to prevent closures in isolated areas by permitting qualified pharmacy technicians to supervise operations and by introducing flexible management structures. The reform still requires Bundesrat approval before taking effect.

In Poland, a draft "Lek pod drzwi" law will be submitted to the Sejm after the summer. It would obligate pharmacies to deliver prescription medicines to seniors aged 65 and older and to chronically ill patients at home. The proposal, backed by pharmacy groups, envisions e‑prescriptions sent to pharmacies, which then arrange delivery within the same county, with costs covered by the pharmacies rather than taxpayers.

Both initiatives seek to improve medication access in underserved communities by adapting pharmacy staffing and service models.