Franziska Erdle to Succeed Dr. Sebastian Schmitz as ABDA CEO in 2026
On January 1, 2026, Franziska Erdle (53) will take over as Chief Executive Officer of ABDA – Federal Union of German Associations of Pharmacists. She succeeds Dr. Sebastian Schmitz, who will retire after many successful years of service.
Erdle will already join ABDA’s management team on October 1, 2025, before officially assuming full responsibility at the start of 2026. The role also includes the management of the Federal Chamber of Pharmacists and the German Pharmacists’ Association (DAV).
A lawyer by training, Erdle has extensive expertise in association management. For nearly a decade, she served as CEO of the German Metals Association (Wirtschaftsvereinigung Metalle e.V.), where she advanced the organization’s strategic and organizational development while effectively representing the industry at both federal and EU levels.
ABDA President Thomas Preis emphasized: “With Franziska Erdle, we are gaining a highly experienced leader who will further strengthen our role in the healthcare sector.”
Erdle herself looks forward to her new position: “The healthcare system is undergoing fundamental change – and pharmacies are at its core. My goal is to position ABDA for the future and give pharmacists a strong voice.”
About ABDA
ABDA – Federal Union of German Associations of Pharmacists is the umbrella organization of German pharmacists, based in Berlin. Founded in 1950, it brings together all 17 state chambers of pharmacists and all 17 state associations of pharmacists.
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