Germany: Federal Council Committees Call for Application of the Drug Price Ordinance to Medical Cannabis

26-01-15 | Recommendations from the Federal Council’s Health Committee on the Pharmacy Care Modernisation Act (ApoVWG) call for clearer legal rules governing medical cannabis. In document 770/1/25, the Bundestag is advised to explicitly classify cannabis flowers and derived products such as extracts or resins as medical products under the German Medicines Act (AMG). This clarification is intended to ensure that these products remain subject to uniform pharmaceutical regulations nationwide even after their removal from narcotics law, thereby reducing legal uncertainty and strengthening drug safety.

A second key issue concerns pricing. Since the Medical Cannabis Act (MedCanG) entered into force, pharmacies have applied inconsistent pricing models. To prevent price competition, the committee recommends explicitly applying the German Drug Price Ordinance to medical cannabis. The products should be considered a special category of medical goods for which fixed pricing is necessary to protect patient safety.

The committee also proposes stricter rules for mail‑order distribution. Prescription‑only medicines should not be dispensed via mail order without a valid prescription. In addition, EU‑based mail‑order pharmacies should be required to prove their authorisation to the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices. Logistics companies involved in distribution should also be more closely integrated into pharmaceutical oversight.