In one sentence
Telepharmazie means pharmaceutical services delivered remotely, for example a pharmacist supervising a branch by video. The word does not appear in the ApoVWG, and the law contains no general authorisation for it.
Telepharmazie describes pharmaceutical advice or supervision delivered remotely rather than in person. It is discussed widely, and it is regularly and wrongly attributed to the ApoVWG.
The word does not appear anywhere in the statute. There is no general authorisation for remotely supervised pharmacies or video-supervised branches. § 3 Apothekenbetriebsordnung restates the opposite, that a pharmacy may only be open and operating with a pharmacist or an authorised deputy present.
One narrow exception exists. Under the § 29 Apothekengesetz trial, a pharmacy leader may be absent for up to 20 days a year and no more than 10 consecutive days, with an experienced pharmazeutisch-technische Assistentin maintaining operations. It applies only on individual application, only where no other pharmacy is within 6 kilometres, only where that person has worked unsupervised in the pharmacy for at least three years, and only until 31 December 2031. It is excluded for a Hauptapotheke and for pharmacies doing patient-individual Verblisterung or parenteral preparation.
The far-reaching version that drew heavy criticism in December 2025 belonged to the cabinet draft and did not survive into the law. What the reform does open up instead is the Zweigapotheke in genuinely remote locations.
This glossary entry is general information about German pharmacy law and practice. It is not legal advice. For binding guidance on your own pharmacy, contact your Landesapothekerkammer.
