German Federal Association of Hospital Pharmacists national survey of clinical pharmacy services in Germany, 2024
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: OBJECTIVES: Clinical pharmacy care in German hospitals has recently evolved, driven by digitalisation and legal reforms. The only comprehensive overview of clinical pharmacy care in Germany was published in 2019. The current survey aims to update and describe the status quo of clinical pharmacy services in Germany, highlighting developments in this field since the previous publication. METHODS: In 2024, an online survey with 45 questions was carried out among chief pharmacists, organised within the German Federal Association of Hospital Pharmacists (ADKA) e.V. (n=328). The survey collected structural data (eg, beds and workforce), as well as information on the extent and range of clinical pharmacy services. RESULTS: The survey received 135 responses, resulting in a response rate of 41%. The provision of clinical pharmacy services (CPS) was already well established in 114 pharmacies (85.7%), meaning at least 32.4% of all German hospital pharmacies offer CPS. The average number of full-time equivalents dedicated to these services per hospital pharmacy is 4.3, which is an increase of1.9 full-time equivalents compared with the first survey. Regular visits (at least once a week) are reported in the range of 80% for most surgical disciplines, haematology/oncology and critical care/anaesthesia. The regular patient-centred services were offered daily or 2-3 times weekly, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This follow-up survey provides a comprehensive overview of the developments since the initial survey, offering a detailed analysis of the current status of CPS in German hospitals. A general improvement has been observed regarding the range of services offered, utilisation of workforce resources and frequency of service delivery. Despite this positive development, further measures are necessary to ensure the enhancement and improvement of CPS in all hospitals.
Authors: Heike Hilgarth, Anna Dohm, Andreas Fischer, Holger Knoth, Ulrich Warnke
Language: English
Subfield: Pharmacology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4416557806