Pharma Fakten: Savings Law Misses Healthcare Problem
The German pharmaceutical association BPI criticizes the new savings law for health insurance funds. The organization argues the law fails to address fundamental issues and risks deindustrialization.
Berlin – The German Association of the Pharmaceutical Industry (BPI) has sharply criticized the government's proposed GKV savings law (Gesetz zur Stabilisierung der Beitragsätze). BPI chairman Oliver Kirst described the law as a "catastrophe" that will drive Germany towards deindustrialization rather than solving healthcare issues.
At the association's general meeting in early June, Kirst stated that the proposed legislation would only make healthcare cheaper, not better. The planned dynamic manufacturer rebate, which could hinder corporate planning, and discount contracts for drug innovations and vaccines are seen as particularly problematic.
The pharmaceutical industry is a significant employer and economic contributor in Germany, providing over 7.7 million jobs and accounting for approximately 12.5 percent of the national gross value added. BPI calculates that every euro invested in the sector generates an additional 81 cents in societal economic value. Employment in pharmaceutical companies grew by 44 percent between 2010 and 2024, significantly outperforming the overall economy.
Instead, BPI advocates for a comprehensive healthcare reform, outlined in their "Gute Gesundheit 2030" concept. This proposal focuses on prevention, innovation, digitalization, and financing. The association emphasizes the need for genuine structural reforms in Germany's healthcare system, arguing that short-term austerity measures risk the industry's future and the country's competitiveness.