Salzach Pharmacy in Laufen closes: a bitter farewell for the city

Salzach Pharmacy in Laufen closes: a bitter farewell for the city

In the city of Laufen, a familiar sight will soon be a thing of the past: Beate Frimmel's Salzach Pharmacy will close its doors on June 30, 2025. Beate Frimmel took over the pharmacy in 2013 from her mother, who founded it in 1974. Despite years of effort, Frimmel is now faced with the difficult decision to close her pharmacy - at a time when many stationary pharmacies have to overcome major challenges. Innsalzach24 reports on the reasons for the closure, which not only affect Frimmel, but represent a nationwide phenomenon.

The financial situation of many pharmacies is getting worse. Low remuneration coupled with rising costs and the increasing migration of customers to online providers are putting the existence of many pharmacies to the test. Almost a third of Frimmel's customers now buy their medications online. The introduction of e-prescriptions, which makes ordering in online pharmacies easier, further reinforces this development. On the other hand, many pharmacists struggle with digitalization and the associated challenges. daily news points out that the entire industry is suffering from the effects of e-prescription, which appears to be a threat to many brick-and-mortar facilities.

The Pharmacy Dying: A Nationwide Crisis

According to the current figures, the pharmacy landscape in Germany is in dramatic decline. Of 20,662 pharmacies in 2013, only 17,571 remained at the end of 2023. This is the lowest level since 1980. According to estimates by the German Pharmacists' Association, over 500 more pharmacies could close in 2024. Frimmel is therefore not a single figure in a sad game in which every third pharmacy could turn off the lights by 2030. Pharmacy Adhoc reports that the pharmacists' association considers the introduction of e-prescriptions to be serious because it will leave stationary pharmacists behind.

This not only leads to a loss of direct income, but also to a shortage of pharmacists, as many of the dedicated professionals are looking for other options. Beate Frimmel herself plans to continue her professional activity as a temporary pharmacist or in health advice, because after the closure of her pharmacy she not only has to terminate contracts, but also sell medicines and carry out numerous bureaucratic duties.

Political decisions are required

In view of this worrying situation, Frimmel calls on politicians to seriously address the problems that plague many pharmacies. It is clear that the treatment market is changing, and without a good knack for reforms, there could soon be a dramatic impoverishment of stationary pharmacies. The potential for online pharmacies continues to grow, and consumers appear to be increasingly opting for digital solutions. About half of people would fill their e-prescription online, which is alarming news for local providers.

The future of the pharmacy market is definitely full of challenges. Frimmel and many of her colleagues are aware of this and hope that politicians will intervene in time to prevent the loss of further pharmacies. The decline in pharmacies is not only an economic but also a social issue that could jeopardize medical care in rural areas.