Hamburg

This morning we woke up early (5:55!)!  Had to catch a train to Hamburg. 

Our train ride was a little loud because of the drunk men....probably traveling somewhere in anticipation of the Germany-USA World Cup game tonight. 

Once we made it to Hamburg, we headed to Techniker Krankenkasse (TK), Germany's largest statutory health insurance company.  Tim Steinle introduced us to the work of TK, insurance regulations in Germany (pharmacy is very highly regulated, with low room for individuality regarding health plans) and TK's structure which includes rebate contracts.  TK recently started a program in which medication coaches meet with patients to provide pharmaceutical care. 

At Techniker Krankenkasse (TK), Germany's largest health insurance company 

Dusseldorf Part Drei

This morning we walked to Dusseldorf- just kidding, one could never get tired of buses and trains. 

We met up with a pharmacist, Holger Neye, working for the physician organization Kassenarztliche Vereinigung Nordrhein (KVN) which is the regional organization of KBV (we were there during our Berlin week). The KVN serves as the local representatives of the KBV. 

Mr. Neye gave us a presentation about funding doctors receive for their patients' medications and how this budget is determined.  We shared how in the USA, we utilize insurance companies and pharmacy benefit managers to try to limit healthcare costs, and that our doctors do not have budgets for their patients' prescriptions. 

In the afternoon, we headed to the University of Dusseldorf to learn more about the PhD program within the Institution of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics.  We listened to a presentation about different research topics at the Institute, and then took a tour of the Institute's facilities.  Many of the machines and technology are donated or contracted from pharmaceutical industry companies for a period of time.

University of Dusseldorf's Institute of Pharmaceutics

Machine for making dissolving films

Mini pill press

Sarah and Selam with mini-pill supplies

Pharmacy student project

After the tour, we had a discussion about the program and how our pharmacy education in the USA compares.  

Sebastian led us back to the Burgerstube in the afternoon, and we had a couple hours to relax before our final farewell dinner at the Burgerstube. 

Crepes with icecream

Sebastian & Joe

Thank you, Josh!

Thank you, Nic!

Frau Biester ist die beste!

Thank you, Ms. Biester!