Persistent Problems with Online Prescriptions
Recent reports have highlighted persistent technical issues with the e-prescription system in Germany, causing disruptions not only to digital prescriptions but also to access to electronic patient files and other healthcare services [2]. As the mandatory implementation of electronic patient records (ePA) and e-prescriptions approaches in October 2025, the need for a reliable digital healthcare infrastructure has become more urgent than ever [2].
The Westphalia-Lippe Pharmacists' Association (AVWL), based in Münster, has expressed concern over the ongoing outages, stating that they pose a significant risk to patients, particularly those who require immediate treatment [1]. The association's chairman, Thomas Rochell, has emphasised that these outages can lead to additional burdens for pharmacies, which have been under financial pressure for years due to state-regulated remuneration unchanged for two decades [1].
The root cause of these outages lies within the Telematics Infrastructure, the digital network used in the German healthcare system. This complex system, consisting of hundreds of different products, all certified and approved by Gematik, the responsible federal digital agency, seems to be experiencing considerable teething problems [1][2].
To address these issues, the AVWL has called for urgent action from the federal government. This includes accelerating support and coordination with software providers and healthcare practices to resolve technical issues swiftly and ensure smooth operation. Additionally, enhancing cybersecurity and reliability measures of digital healthcare infrastructures is essential to prevent disruptions caused by technical faults or cyber-threats [5].
Furthermore, providing additional training and resources to medical professionals and IT staff is crucial to manage and troubleshoot system issues effectively [4]. The federal government must prioritise these efforts to meet the October 2025 deadline for mandatory e-prescription use and to safeguard patient care quality and data security during this critical digital transformation [1][2].
In summary, the frequent outages underline that Germany's e-prescription system still faces significant operational challenges. With digitization becoming mandatory soon, decisive federal action and collaboration among stakeholders are crucial to ensure reliable, secure, and efficient e-prescription services across the country. The AVWL also believes that compensation may be necessary to cover the additional economic burdens caused by these outages.
In the context of Germany's approaching mandatory electronic prescription (e-prescription) and electronic patient records (ePA) implementation in October 2025, the Westphalia-Lippe Pharmacists' Association (AVWL) is advocating for the enhancement of health-and-wellness technology, particularly focusing on improving the reliability of the Telematics Infrastructure, to reduce medical-conditions-related risks and alleviate burdens on pharmacies [1, 2, 5].
Given the persistent technical issues with the e-prescription system and the critical importance of science and technology for healthcare services, it is imperative that the federal government prioritizes cybersecurity measures, additional training for medical professionals and IT staff, and swift issue resolution to ensure a secure and efficient e-prescription system, safeguarding patient healthcare quality and data security during the digital transformation [1, 2, 4].
