German OTC drugs "must be reimbursed"

Germany's Federal Social Court, the BSG, has ruled that the exclusion of non-prescription drug products from the public-sector health funds' (Krankenkassen) system of reimbursement is not unconstitutional or contrary to European law. Since the health reform of 2004, the cost of non-prescription drugs has ceased to be assumed by the funds except in specific exceptional categories.

Henning Fahrenkamp, executive director of the Federal Association of the Pharmaceutical Industry, the BPI, said: "this restriction on non-prescribed drugs remains, despite the court judgement, a purely political act on the government's part." He added that there were no technical or special grounds as to why the Krankenkassen could not once again reimburse the cost of these medicines. He argued that efficient drug therapy was not based solely on prescription drugs and noted that, because over-the-counter agents tend to be safer for patients, their use should be encouraged.