German Pharmacists Association Issues Guidance on Prescription-Free Medication Supply
The ABDA, the German Pharmacists Association, has released practical guidelines on how new legal provisions for "connection supply" of medications without a prescription can be implemented. The aim is to ensure continuity of patient medication in exceptional circumstances.
The German Pharmacists Association (ABDA) has issued new practical guidelines regarding a legislative change that permits a one-time dispensing of prescription-only medications for ongoing therapy without a new doctor's prescription. This "connection supply" provision, under § 48a AMG, became effective in July 2026 and aims to prevent interruptions in existing drug treatments where immediate continuation is necessary.
Under the new regulations, pharmacy staff can, at their professional discretion, dispense a medication that a patient has previously been prescribed for at least three quarters. This is permissible if the therapy cannot be delayed, though patients do not have an automatic right to receive medication without a prescription. The decision to dispense rests entirely with the pharmacist's assessment of the individual case.
The guidelines emphasize the importance of pharmacists being able to verify the long-term prescription history. Acceptable proof includes data from electronic patient records, the pharmacy's medication history, or medical documentation. A patient's statement alone or presentation of a single package is generally insufficient to prove a prescription history of three quarters.
Certain drug classes are excluded from this provision. These include substances with a high potential for abuse or dependence, specific cancer drugs, and medications requiring regular medical monitoring or diagnostics before further prescription. Narcotics and medical cannabis are also subject to separate regulations and are therefore excluded from this type of prescription-free "connection supply."