"The demand following the recommendations was suddenly enormous. Actually, this is a vaccine that is rarely requested," says Thorsten Sonnenschein from the "Zur Alten Post" pharmacy in Beuel. However, production cannot be ramped up so quickly, "because the germ has to grow first during production". According to Sonnenschein and Edith Teifel from the Sebastian Pharmacy in Poppelsdorf, the drug manufacturers are well aware how much their products are in demand. This makes delivery more difficult when demand is increased by fear and worries such as during the current pandemic.

The situation was similar with the painkiller paracetamol: after the claim circulated in social networks that ibuprofen would aggravate the symptoms of Covid-19 sufferers, the alternative paracetamol was sold out within a very short time. "The WHO issued a recommendation for paracetamol and withdrew it just one day later," criticises Sonnenschein. Scientific evidence that ibuprofen exacerbates symptoms is not known. "It is also not reasonable to have more than one pack of painkillers at home," says Sonnenschein. Although some drugs are currently not available in pharmacies, it is not possible to speak of a "super crisis". Teifel from the Sebastian Pharmacy also does not see an emergency situation. Even before the Corona crisis it was difficult to get thyroid medication. "There are shortages of antibiotics here and there, but they're not so dramatic."

According to the North Rhine Chamber of Pharmacists responsible for Bonn, 300 drugs cannot currently be delivered to pharmacies in the chamber's district. "This is not only due to the pandemic," says Chamber director Stefan Derix. Globalization on the one hand and cost pressure in production on the other hand are the determining factors. In order to reduce prices, pharmaceutical producers are having many preparations manufactured in Asia. The coveted respiratory masks were also among them. Only large producers were able to produce at the required prices. So as soon as problems arose, this immediately impacted on delivery.

The supply of some drugs is also difficult because other countries pay more for the purchase. "That's where the ugly side of the free market economy comes in," says Derix. The same applies to the currently high prices that pharmacists charge for respiratory masks. They order the scarce goods from various sources and in turn pay high purchase prices. Derix said: "Necessity dictates the purchase prices." Already in mid-April, thieves had broken into a store of the university hospital on Venusberg and stolen cartons containing a total of 400 respirators. When asked, the police confirmed the theft. Market value before the Corona crisis: around 200 Euro. In the meantime, prices of 50 Euro per piece are being called up, depending on quality.

As soon as something is in stock again at the pharmacies, it is quickly sold out, like at the Münster pharmacy in the city centre. "On Wednesday morning we posted that we have disinfectant, breathing masks and disposable gloves again. The next day everything was sold out," says pharmacist Valentin Brugger. But these days it is difficult to get supplies. "I just phoned the Klosterfrau company because they now want to produce disinfectants as well," says Brugger. But the entire production of the Cologne company is to go to the state government. That is why the pharmacy is now also in the process of producing its own disinfectant. "We do that according to a WHO formula.“

The Knauber Pharmacy is also experiencing a rush. "Times are crazy. The demand for protective masks is enormous," says owner Damorena Grigore. However, the Chamber of Pharmacists recommends that only those who need them most urgently, such as dentists and other medical staff, should be served first. "The first delivery of FFP2 masks, for example, was only for professionals," says Grigore. "It was only when a larger shipment arrived that free trade began."

(Original text: Philipp Königs and Thomas Leurs. Translation: Mareike Graepel)