Germany's drug safety alerts surge as pharmacies report 11,000 risks in 2025

Germany's drug safety monitoring saw a sharp rise in reported concerns last year. The German Pharmacists' Drug Commission (AMK) received over 11,000 notifications about potential medication risks in 2025. These figures highlight growing vigilance across the country's healthcare system.

Pharmacies played a key role in flagging issues, with more than 4,900 submitting reports. The AMK processed these into 263 formal risk notifications, including 23 urgent 'Dear Healthcare Professional' letters. Another 150 alerts focused on specific drug batches, leading to recalls or further reviews.

Medication errors surged, with reports jumping from 348 in 2024 to 624 in 2025. Meanwhile, suspected cases of drug misuse fell slightly. The bulk of concerns centred on quality problems, accounting for around 7,000 cases, while adverse reactions made up 4,000 more.

Among the 263 risk notices, 47 directly involved system-relevant drugs. These included critical recalls or warnings for medications essential to patient care.

The AMK's 2025 data shows a clear increase in reported drug risks, particularly errors and quality defects. With pharmacies actively participating, the system continues to identify and address potential hazards. The findings underscore the importance of ongoing monitoring in patient safety.