German Bundestag Approves Cost-Saving Law for Statutory Health Insurance
The German Bundestag has passed a bill aimed at stabilizing contribution rates for statutory health insurance (GKV). The legislation introduces significant changes for pharmaceutical manufacturers, including increased manufacturer and vaccine rebates, and new rules for discount agreements.
Berlin – The German Bundestag approved on Friday, July 10, 2026, a bill to stabilize contribution rates within the statutory health insurance system (GKV). The legislation, colloquially termed a "savings law," passed after a contentious debate and includes several key provisions impacting the pharmaceutical industry.
Key changes include a permanent additional manufacturer rebate set at 8.5%, bringing the total to 15.5%. A surcharge for vaccines will also be increased to 9%. Furthermore, discount agreements will be extended to cover patented drugs with therapeutically comparable effects, initially in a pilot phase until the end of 2030.
The price-volume regulation mechanism will see its rebate factor adjusted. The factor will increase from 1% to 1.5% for every 100 million euros in revenue exceeding the threshold.
Additionally, the price freeze moratorium is extended until the end of 2030. The law also removes homeopathic and anthroposophic medicines and services from statutory coverage. Conversely, certain patient groups with severe conditions will gain access to standardized cannabis extract products for a six-month therapeutic trial period.
The bill is scheduled for further deliberation in the Bundesrat. Its enactment hinges on final approval, with most provisions scheduled to take effect one day after publication. Some measures, such as the exclusion of homeopathic remedies from coverage, are slated to come into force on January 1, 2027.