Berlin – November 03, 2026 -- Net costs for outpatient drug care in Germany's statutory health insurance reached a record €62.6 billion, according to an analysis by the AOK's Scientific Institute (WIdO) on the 2027 pharmaceutical market. Dr. Carola Reimann, chair of the AOK Federal Association, warned that a planned location clause could erase the savings the current cost-containment package delivers.

WIdO projects 2027 drug cost growth of 2.2% to 2.8%

The institute attributes the moderate outlook to the higher manufacturer rebate for 2027. It expects drug costs to rise by 2.2% to a maximum of 2.8%. WIdO experts caution that the relief is short-lived and call for structural reform, above all of the AMNOG procedure, which governs the pricing of new drugs.

Prices for patent-protected drugs, not prescription volumes, drive spending

Reimann said the record spending does not stem from more prescriptions. She pointed to rising prices, particularly for patent-protected medicines. In her view, the savings package does not change this trend in the medium term.

Federal Health Ministry holds the 2027 average additional contribution at 2.9%

On Friday, the Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) set the calculated average additional contribution for 2027 at 2.9%, unchanged, based on the Schätzerkreis forecast. Reimann called this good news for contributors. She stressed that the financial situation remains tense and that further exemptions from the savings package must be avoided.

AOK calls the location clause a risk of massive price increases

Reimann described the location clause as an open flank that could trigger large price rises in the drug market and cancel out contribution rate stability. She argued that the pharmaceutical industry has largely been spared from savings efforts so far. The AOK opposes concessions to the sector that would put contribution rate stability and appropriate drug pricing in the statutory system behind location promotion and industrial policy.