To improve healthcare in Germany, the telemedicine provider Medgate, which is based in Switzerland, wants to link pharmaceutical services with medical services. To this end, Medgate is cooperating with Noventi, a service group wholly owned by pharmacies. The concept in this country is as follows:
A so-called mini-clinic would be set up in a German inpatient pharmacy, which would be the first point of contact for patients in case of problems. A medical assistant assesses the problem according to urgency and severity and, if necessary, consults a telemedicine doctor who takes care of the problem. The latter can also issue a prescription, which can then be filled directly on site. Telemedicine consultations fall into the category of uncomplicated and low-threshold care for patients who want to combine prescription redemption and clarification of a problem. The patient does not have to endure long waiting times or a registration procedure. The concept established in Switzerland is also successfully used in Sweden, the Netherlands and the USA because patients are satisfied with the pragmatic solution to their problems.
The range of services, also known as the Mini-Clinic, includes dermatological examinations such as the assessment of a birthmark, ear rinses, lymphatic checks, but also the smallest surgical procedures, such as the removal of stitches, as well as SARS-CoV-2 tests, i.e. antigen tests, with symptomatic affected persons.
However, regulatory requirements and financial concepts are still missing to launch the „Mini-Clinic“ project in Germany. Once this is clarified, 6,000 Noventi member pharmacies could be supplied with e-prescriptions from such teleconsultations.
Source: Pharmazeutusche-zeitung.de