DIMDI - Legal Background of the German Register of Mail Order Pharmacies

Legal Background

Mail order selling of pharmacy-only medicines has been allowed in Germany since 2004. The same legal requirements apply for mail order pharmacies as for any retail pharmacy. However, up to now, consumers on the internet were not able to tell whether a pharmacy has an official authorisation for mail order selling for Germany.

This is now possible through the German Register of Mail Order Pharmacies and the related security logo that DIMDI provides since 21th April 2009 on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Health. This register only includes pharmacies that have an official permit for mail order of medicines for Germany (§ 43 section 1 para. 1 of the German Drug Law). The competent bodies for the contents of the mail order pharmacy register are those that are responsible for pharmacy monitoring according to federal state law (competent supervisory authorities). If you like to order medicines at mail order pharmacies from abroad, please take note of our FAQ.

More Information on the Web:

§ 43 section 1 para. 1 of the German Drug Law (in German language)