Doc Morris Online Pharmacy Forced to Close German Branch

A state administrative court in the state of Saarland decided on Wednesday that the Dutch online pharmaceutical company Doc Morris has to shut down its first and only branch in Germany until the European Court of Justice reaches a final verdict on the legality of the business.

After opening in July, a Doc Morris branch in the city of Saarbrücken met with immediate criticism from private pharmacists in the region. They protested the legality of the online discounter on the grounds that they wouldn't be able to match its prices.

Critics also referenced a German law which stipulates that pharmacies may only be run by trained pharmacists, not by corporate entities.

A final decision has yet to be made

"The pharmacists want to do everything to push us out of the market," said Doc Morris director Ralf Däinghaus.

On Aug. 9 the state court in Saarbrücken rejected petitions for the closure of the German pharmaceutical branch, citing freedom of establishment under European law. Wednesday's decision for its temporary closure was issued because three Saarbrücken pharmacies have filed an appeal.

The European Court of Justice will have to assess the apparent contradiction between Germany's pharmacy law and the European Union's freedom of establishment law.

The state government in Saarland is opposed to the administrative court's decision and has said it considers it legal for Doc Morris to conduct business in Germany.

Saarland's Minister of Health Josef Hecken said the state government will appeal Wednesday's decision to the state's Higher Administrative Court.