German Medical Association criticizes dm's planned health checks

Klaus Reinhardt, President of the German Medical Association (Bundesärztekammer), has criticized plans by the drugstore chain dm to introduce cardiovascular health checks in its retail locations. The company intends to use sensor technology to collect vital data as part of an expanded health service offering later this year.

Reinhardt argued that such diagnostics do not belong in a drugstore setting, labeling the move as “complete nonsense” and potentially dangerous. He emphasized that medical findings cannot be properly interpreted without a professional medical history (anamnesis) and an individual assessment by a physician. He warned that providing results without clinical context could lead to a “deprofessionalization” of medical care.

While dm already offers services such as skin and blood analysis and eye screenings in selected stores, Reinhardt suggested that patients seeking risk assessments should consult a doctor directly rather than using a drugstore as an intermediary.