The Bundeswehr’s pharmacists

The Bundeswehr's pharmacists are responsible for promptly supplying drugs and medical devices worldwide so that the troops are adequately cared for and remain operationally ready. The task spectrum of the military pharmacy essentially comprises three main focus areas: pharmacy, medical logistics and food chemistry. Not all pharmacists in the Bundeswehr have the same tasks – their work is diverse and rich in variety.

The military pharmacy’s general task is to provide medication, medical devices and any related services. As food safety is equally important for the health of military personnel, specialist pharmacists concentrate on this aspect of consumer health protection.

To fulfil these tasks, the pharmacists are joined by civilian and military technical support staff, medical technologists and opticians. They are assisted by a wide range of support personnel, such as pharmaceutical technical assistants and chemical technical assistants.

All Bundeswehr pharmacies are able to produce patient-specific medication. In the event of drug shortages, for example if global supply chains are disrupted, this is essential for maintaining the operational readiness of our service personnel. Consequently, some drugs that are important for the Bundeswehr as a whole are manufactured at our own production sites. The same goes for specially modified service glasses made by our opticians.

Good pharmaceutical care also requires quality medication and medical devices. To ensure this, the Bundeswehr has its own laboratory for conducting pharmaceutical tests.
Galerie

All unit physicians are supplied by the Bundeswehr pharmacies. Medical logistics personnel ensure that sufficient quantities of quality medication, medical devices and medical supplies are available as needed in medical and dental treatment facilities. This includes selecting and defining the necessary product characteristics, ensuring appropriate storage, and arranging temperature-controlled transport and shipping. Furthermore, medical equipment and devices are repaired at the Bundeswehr pharmacies.

In addition to supplying the forces with suitable medical devices, medical logistics also deals with maintenance and repairs. This covers everything from blood pressure monitors to technically complex anaesthesia equipment. This work is carried out by medical technicians from the Bundeswehr pharmacies.

In specialist Bundeswehr laboratories, pharmacists with additional qualifications in food chemistry test food, drinking water as well as cosmetics and toiletries for service use. This involves analysing the chemical properties of these product categories, paying particular attention to hazards caused by toxins intended to sabotage the safety of food and drinking water.

The four Supervisory Centres for Public Law Tasks, which function as the public health departments of the Bundeswehr, monitor Bundeswehr facilities that prepare and serve food. The Bundeswehr’s own wells, drinking water and swimming pools are also regularly inspected and tested, regardless of their location. Whether at home, abroad or during exercises, our specialist pharmacists monitor the safety of food and drinking water wherever the Bundeswehr is active.

Around 250 active pharmacists work for the Bundeswehr. Together with approximately 850 more military and civilian personnel, they cover a wide range of services. This broad spectrum of tasks requires highly qualified personnel that can be flexibly deployed in a variety of areas. 

For this reason, the pharmaceutical personnel of the Bundeswehr undertake specialist further training in fields such as clinical pharmacy, toxicology, pharmaceutical analysis and technology, and public health. With these qualifications, they are equivalent to civilian experts in their field.