Tuesday, September 30, 2025

Survey: Few Insured Patients Ask Pharmacies About the Electronic Patient Record

The electronic patient record (ePA) currently plays only a minor role in German pharmacies. Only 13 percent of pharmacy teams report being asked about the ePA by customers, while 87 percent have received no inquiries at all. These figures come from a representative survey conducted by IQVIA on behalf of ABDA among 500 pharmacy owners in the summer of 2025, published in the latest edition of the ABDA E-HEALTH newsletter.

Respondents see a genuine added value for pharmacies and patients primarily when the electronic medication plan (eMP) improves collaboration between pharmacies and medical practices (55.4 percent) and can be managed directly in the pharmacy (51.4 percent). For 38.6 percent of respondents, the ePA becomes valuable once it demonstrably enhances medication safety (AMTS).

From October 1, 2025, the use of the ePA will be legally mandatory. Pharmacies, medical and dental practices, as well as hospitals, must then implement the digital record – provided the technical infrastructure is in place. At this stage, the electronic medication list (eML) is most relevant for pharmacies.

“The electronic medication list is a first step. Pharmacies expect that the electronic medication plan (eMP) will soon follow, allowing over-the-counter medicines and paper prescriptions to be added digitally. This is planned for the next expansion stage of the ePA, scheduled to begin in July 2026. With the help of the eMP, pharmacies will be able to further improve medication safety and reduce healthcare costs,” explains DAV board member Dr. Jan-Niklas Francke.