ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to describe the German pricing and reimbursement system. It discusses the pricing and reimbursement of pharmaceuticals in Germany within a broader framework, by taking into account what is the current, and what could be the future, situation of the German social security and healthcare systems. The chapter analyses the financial contributions made to social security providers in Germany; that is, nursing insurance, unemployment insurance, sickness funds and the pension funds. It discusses the pricing and reimbursement mechanisms directed towards the patient and the physician. The chapter focuses on the use of health technology assessments, which has been reinforced in Germany with the foundation of the Quality and Efficiency in Healthcare. It offers some views as to what the future could hold for Germany’s pharmaceutical market. The chapter focuses on important dimensions that will drive the future of the German pharmaceutical market.
