# dm drugstore health service expansion controversy

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/dm-drugstore-health-service-expansion-controversy
> Updated: 2026-09-08T09:36:13.000Z. Sources: 57. Developments: 3.

German drugstore chain dm is expanding its retail health services, including plans to introduce cardiovascular checks using sensor technology in specialized booths. The company also intends to scale up eye screening services from eight to 30 locations and improve skin analysis by connecting customers to online dermatologists.

These expansions have met significant opposition from the medical community. Klaus Reinhardt, President of the German Medical Association, has criticized the cardiovascular checks as “complete nonsense,” arguing that diagnostic results lack necessary clinical context and professional medical history. Reinhardt warned that providing results without an individual assessment by a physician could lead to a “deprofessionalization” of medical care.

Additionally, dm’s eye screening service is facing legal scrutiny. The Landgericht Karlsruhe is presiding over a legal dispute initiated by the Wettbewerbszentrale. The association argues that the €14.95 service, which utilizes artificial intelligence and cooperation partners, may violate regulations such as the Heilpraktikergesetz (Naturopath Act). The Wettbewerbszentrale maintains that eye disease screenings should not be conducted by non-physicians in retail environments and that dm’s marketing may be misleading regarding the reliability of the results. The group emphasizes that upholding medical standards is a critical aspect of patient protection.

dm maintains the service is legal and emphasizes that the screenings do not replace professional medical diagnoses. Sebastian Bayer, dm’s Managing Director for Marketing and Procurement, stated the company is seeking legal certainty and intends to appeal any unfavorable rulings. A separate proceeding regarding dm’s cooperation partner is scheduled for November in Düsseldorf.

## Claims

- The Wettbewerbszentrale claims the eye screening offer violates legal requirements, including the Heilpraktikergesetz. (corroborated by 10 sources)
- dm maintains that the eye screening service provided via a partner does not violate current law. (corroborated by 10 sources)
- The eye screening service costs 14.95 euros. (corroborated by 10 sources)
- The District Court of Karlsruhe is hearing a case regarding the legality of dm's eye screening service. (corroborated by 10 sources)
- dm plans to expand the eye screening service from eight to 30 locations. (corroborated by 10 sources)
- The screening uses artificial intelligence to evaluate results, such as for glaucoma, and is medically reviewed. (corroborated by 9 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-08: dm eye screening service faces legal challenge in German court

The Landgericht Karlsruhe is reviewing a legal challenge by the Wettbewerbszentrale against dm's €14.95 eye screening service, which critics claim violates medical and legal standards.

38 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dm-eye-screening-service-faces-legal-challenge-in-german-court

### 2026-09-01: German Medical Association criticizes dm's planned health checks

German Medical Association President Klaus Reinhardt has criticized dm's plan to offer cardiovascular health checks in drugstores, calling the move potentially dangerous and lacking necessary medical context.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/german-medical-association-criticizes-dms-planned-health-checks

### 2026-08-20: dm drugstore expands health services with cardiovascular checks

Drugstore chain dm plans to launch cardiovascular checks and expand eye screenings in Germany, despite legal challenges and criticism from medical professional associations.

21 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dm-drugstore-plans-cardiovascular-and-eye-health-screenings

---
Cite as: dm drugstore health service expansion controversy. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/dm-drugstore-health-service-expansion-controversy