In an RND interview, Federal Medical Association President Klaus Reinhardt discusses Germany's high doctor visit rates, which he does not attribute solely to patient behavior. He warns against planned prescribing rights for pharmacists and advocates for a sugar tax as well as smartphone bans in schools. Additionally, he supports a new regulation of assisted suicide with strict protective measures.
Klaus Reinhardt, President of the German Medical Association since mid-2019 and representative of over 400,000 doctors, addresses several health issues in an RND interview. The 65-year-old general practitioner from Bielefeld criticizes Health Minister Nina Warken's plans to allow pharmacists to prescribe prescription drugs without medical consultation. 'This is a dangerous misguided path,' he says, as it requires medical expertise, patient knowledge, and confidential discussions that cannot occur at the sales counter.
On the high number of doctor contacts, Reinhardt emphasizes the role of the remuneration system: 'Whoever pays for cases, gets cases.' He calls for reforming compensation to avoid misuse, which would require time and experts like game theorists. To ensure adherence to treatment pathways, he suggests noticeable co-payments for misuse, such as unauthorized emergency room visits without consulting 116117.
For prevention, Reinhardt advocates higher levies on sugar, tobacco, and alcohol, noting Germany's 17th place out of 18 countries in the Public Health Index. He warns of a 'huge wave of diabetics' due to inactivity and poor nutrition in children. The additional revenues could fund mandatory health education, including media usage.
He rejects a social media ban like Australia's but demands phone-free schools: 'The school must be a protected space for learning and social interaction.' Teachers report more interaction with bans.
Regarding assisted suicide, he supports a new regulation following the 2020 Federal Constitutional Court ruling to end the 'unregulated state.' He knows of a case where a man with treatable depression died via a euthanasia association. Doctors' involvement is not a medical duty, but a protective concept must ensure the wish is free and enduring, and promote suicide prevention. The association will not publish a list of willing doctors.
