Procedure descriptions

Apply for authorisation to dispatch medicines available only from pharmacies

The dispatch of medicines available only from pharmacies is subject to authorisation. A separate mail-order licence must be applied for in respect of each public pharmacy through which such medicines are to be dispatched.

Mail-order activities may only commence once a licence has been granted.

Responsible authority

Regional Councils of Stuttgart, Tübingen, Freiburg and Karlsruhe

Regierungspräsidium Karlsruhe

Details

Prerequisite

  • Dispatched items must only be sent from a public pharmacy which has been granted an operating licence, in addition to its normal pharmacy operations
  • The statutory regulations governing pharmacy operations apply
  • A quality assurance system for the dispatch process must be in place

Procedure

  • An application for a mail-order licence must be made using the standard form
  • to the relevant authority.
  • Alternatively, you can apply for the licence using the online application form.

Deadlines

The mail-order sale of medicines available only from pharmacies may only commence once authorisation has been granted.

Required documents

  • Proof of the pharmacy’s operating licence
  • If premises outside the approved pharmacy premises are to be used for mail-order business: Details of the size, nature, fittings and function of the additional premises, accompanied by true-to-scale floor plans and the tenancy agreement or other evidence of the availability of the premises (for example, proof of ownership)
  • A declaration by the applicant that they will comply with the requirements of the Pharmacy Act and the Pharmacy Operating Regulations regarding quality management and the dispatch process, and that they will carry out mail-order business in addition to their usual pharmacy operations

Costs

Charges are calculated in accordance with the current version of the Ministry of Social Affairs’ Fees Regulation

Miscellaneous

The Institute for Medical Documentation and Information (DIMDI) maintains a register of mail-order pharmacies, which lists all German pharmacies authorised to operate a mail-order business. DIMDI awards these retailers a security logo, which they may also display on their websites. Consumers can view the register of mail-order pharmacies on the DIMDI website.

Detailed information

Apotheken - Regierungspräsidien Baden-Württemberg

Formblatt der Regierungspräsidien Baden-Württemberg

Gebührenverordnung des Sozialministeriums

Legal basis

Gesetz über das Apothekenwesen (Apothekengesetz - ApoG):

  • § 3
  • § 11 a
  • § 11 b

Arzneimittelgesetz


  • § 43 Apothekenpflicht

Verordnung über den Betrieb von Apotheken (Apothekenbetriebsordnung -ApBetrO):

  • § 17 Erwerb und Abgabe von Arzneimitteln und Medizinprodukten

Release note

Machine generated, based on the German release by: Sozialministerium Baden-Württemberg, 21.08.2026