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The Accessibility Strengthening Act affects pharmacies in a particular way and establishes new requirements for the digital accessibility of their offerings. Digital services such as websites, ordering and information portals must be designed so that they are fully usable for all users, including people with disabilities. For pharmacies, this means not only knowing legal requirements but also implementing them in a targeted and structured manner.
Particularly in the pharmacy environment, industry-specific challenges frequently arise—from complex product information to sensitive ordering processes. This page provides you with practical tips and clear action recommendations on how to efficiently meet the requirements of the Accessibility Strengthening Act for your pharmacy. A systematic approach helps ensure digital accessibility in a timely and sustainable manner.
The Accessibility Strengthening Act (BFSG) forms the central legal framework for digital accessibility in pharmacies. The structure of the law is clearly organized: it first defines the scope of application, identifies the affected services and products, and specifies the requirements for digital offerings. For pharmacies, the sections on web-based information and ordering systems as well as digital communication channels are particularly relevant.
Important sections of the BFSG that affect pharmacies regulate, among other things, the accessible design of websites, mobile applications, and electronic ordering processes. Unlike other legal regulations in the healthcare sector—such as the Social Code or the Pharmacy Operating Regulations—the Accessibility Strengthening Act explicitly focuses on digital accessibility. Central terms such as “accessible,” “digital service,” or “economic reasonableness” are clearly defined in the law and form the basis for practical implementation in pharmacies.
| Legal Section | Significance for Pharmacies |
|---|---|
| Scope of Application (§ 1–2 BFSG) | Defines which digital offerings from pharmacies must be accessible |
| General Requirements (§ 3–6 BFSG) | Defines the technical and content criteria for accessible digital systems |
| Definitions (§ 2 BFSG) | Explains central terms such as “accessible” and “digital service” |
| Distinction from Other Laws | Focuses on digital accessibility, supplements existing regulations in healthcare |
In the pharmacy context, the Accessibility Strengthening Act pursues the goal of designing digital offerings so that they are usable for all people regardless of individual limitations. The focus is on promoting digital participation and removing access barriers for people with disabilities, older persons, and other groups with special needs. Pharmacies are required to design their digital services in such a way that barriers to information, communication, and ordering are systematically reduced.
The guiding principles of the law go beyond the traditional requirements for accessible physical access. While analog accessibility concerns ramps or wide doors, for example, the law addresses specific obstacles in the digital realm such as missing contrast, inaccessible navigation, or unusable forms. For pharmacy customers, this means that digital offerings—from the website to the ordering process—must be operable without outside assistance to enable equal participation in pharmaceutical services.
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For pharmacies, the Accessibility Strengthening Act defines specific success criteria based on international standards such as WCAG 2.1 AA. These criteria include perceivable content, understandable navigation, operability without a mouse, and robust technical implementation. The requirements apply to all digital offerings, particularly websites, order forms, and mobile applications that pharmacies provide to their customers.
The assessment system requires regular reviews of digital accessibility. Pharmacies must demonstrate upon request that their digital offerings comply with legal requirements. Unlike public institutions, for which stricter testing mechanisms and documentation obligations often apply, the verification system for pharmacies is designed more pragmatically. Nevertheless, comprehensible documentation of the measures taken and results is essential.
| Success Criterion | Significance for Pharmacies |
|---|---|
| WCAG 2.1 AA Conformance | Standard for designing accessible websites and digital services |
| Regular Review | Obligation to test and document accessibility upon request |
| Difference from Public Institutions | Less formalized verification obligations, but still clear requirements |
| Technical and Content Standards | Implementation required at both technical and editorial levels |
The assessment of digital accessibility in pharmacies is conducted in several steps and is based on the requirements of the Accessibility Strengthening Act. First, self-assessment is central: pharmacies can use checklists and testing tools to internally review their digital offerings for accessibility. Additionally, there is the option to have external audits conducted by specialized service providers to obtain an independent assessment. Careful documentation of all testing steps and results is essential to be able to demonstrate compliance with legal requirements when needed.
Compared to other industries, testing procedures for pharmacies are less formalized but still binding. While mandatory external audits and detailed verification documentation are often required in the public sector or at large companies, for example, in many cases a comprehensible internal review with subsequent documentation is sufficient for pharmacies. Nevertheless, it is recommended to regularly consult external expertise to identify and address potential gaps early.
| Testing Procedures for Pharmacies | Testing Procedures for Other Industries |
|---|---|
| Self-assessment with checklists and tools | Often mandatory external audits |
| External audits voluntary but recommended | Regular, formalized reviews by third parties |
| Documentation as needed, no fixed formats | Detailed and standardized verification documentation |
| Pragmatic approach tailored to pharmacy needs | Strict regulatory requirements in many industries |
For pharmacies, the practical implementation of accessibility requirements begins with a systematic analysis of existing digital offerings. Key measures include revising websites, online ordering systems, and information portals. This includes providing alternative text for images, ensuring sufficient contrast, structuring content logically, and ensuring that all functions are also accessible via keyboard. Technical adjustments are complemented by organizational measures, such as training staff and establishing clear responsibilities for accessibility.
Practical examples from the pharmacy sector show what the integration of accessible features can look like in concrete terms: an online order form that is fully usable with screen readers, a consultation chat function with clear language and simple navigation, or medication information pages offered in Easy Language and with a read-aloud function. Continuous review and further development of these measures ensures that a pharmacy’s digital services remain sustainably accessible.
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Under the Accessibility Strengthening Act, pharmacies are subject to binding deadlines for implementing digital accessibility. The transition period for adapting digital offerings generally ends on June 28, 2025. By that date, pharmacies must have designed their websites, ordering systems, and other digital services to be accessible in accordance with legal requirements. Compliance with these deadlines is monitored by the competent authorities, typically the state consumer protection authorities or comparable bodies.
Unlike other healthcare providers, such as hospitals or medical practices, pharmacies are explicitly named within the scope of the Act and are therefore subject to clear requirements. If the requirements are not implemented, authorities may carry out inspections and administrative measures may be imposed. The specific consequences depend on the individual case and the extent of the deficiencies identified; no legal guarantees or liability commitments are provided.
In day-to-day pharmacy operations, specific challenges often arise when implementing digital accessibility. Technical issues include, for example, insufficient contrast, missing alternative text for product images, or webshop functions that are not accessible. Integrating appointment booking systems and consultation services is also often error-prone, for instance when forms cannot be fully operated via keyboard or screen reader. From an organizational perspective, there is sometimes a lack of clear responsibilities or regular review processes to ensure accessibility.
Communication-related stumbling blocks arise when information about medications or consultation services is not provided in plain language or alternative formats. Typical sources of error can be reduced through targeted training, involving external expertise, and using standardized testing procedures. Close collaboration between IT, specialist staff, and external service providers helps identify and close technical and organizational gaps at an early stage.
Accessibility requirements for pharmacies differ in several respects from those for other healthcare facilities such as medical practices or clinics. While digital accessibility is generally the focus for all providers in the healthcare sector, pharmacies are particularly obliged under the Accessibility Strengthening Act to implement accessible online services. This includes webshops, digital consultation services, and in particular the integration of the e-prescription, which must be usable in an accessible manner.
A key distinguishing feature is the high relevance of digital services in the pharmacy environment. Compared with medical practices, which often still rely more heavily on analogue processes, pharmacies are required to make their digital interfaces for orders, information, and prescription processing comprehensively accessible. The requirements for pharmacies are therefore not only more extensive, but also more strongly geared toward the practical usability of digital offerings.
| Pharmacies | Other healthcare facilities |
|---|---|
| Mandatory accessibility for webshops and e-prescriptions | Accessibility mostly for information offerings, less for ordering processes |
| Focus on digital consultation and online ordering | Often a focus on appointment scheduling and patient information |
| Clear requirements under the Accessibility Strengthening Act | In some cases differing or less specific regulations |
| High share of digital customer interactions | Predominantly analogue or hybrid patient communication |
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The Accessibility Strengthening Act applies to a wide range of digital services that pharmacies offer their customers. These include, in particular, websites, mobile apps, online ordering systems for medicines, digital consultation services, and the processing of e-prescriptions. These offerings must be designed so that they are accessible and usable for all user groups. Information portals and communication services that pharmacies provide for their customers also fall under the legal requirements.
However, not all digital services in the pharmacy environment are affected. Internal systems used exclusively by pharmacy staff, as well as purely telephone-based services, generally do not fall under the Act’s accessibility requirements. It is therefore crucial for pharmacies to clearly identify the relevant digital services and make them accessible in a targeted manner, in order to meet both legal requirements and customer needs.
| Digital service | Relevance under the Act |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy website | Must be designed to be accessible |
| Mobile app for customers | Must be designed to be accessible |
| Online ordering system for medicines | Must be designed to be accessible |
| Internal administration systems | Generally not affected |
| Telephone consultation | Generally not affected |
The Accessibility Strengthening Act fundamentally applies to all pharmacies that offer digital services to end customers—regardless of company size. This includes brick-and-mortar pharmacies with their own websites as well as online-only pharmacies.
Exceptions apply to pharmacies that exclusively use internal systems or do not provide any digital offerings for consumers. Special regulations may apply to micro-enterprises if they demonstrably do not offer digital services to customers.
The Accessibility Strengthening Act requires pharmacies to make their digital offerings comprehensively accessible. The legal requirements apply to all customer-oriented online services, from websites and ordering systems to digital consultation services. Implementation requires a structured approach that equally considers technical, organizational, and communication aspects.
Key challenges include identifying affected offerings, complying with technical minimum standards, and continuously monitoring accessibility. By involving specialized personnel, targeted prioritization, and regular monitoring, pharmacies can efficiently meet legal requirements and provide customers with accessible digital services.
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For online pharmacies, the requirements of the Accessibility Strengthening Act apply fully to all digital offerings such as web shops, apps, and online orders. Brick-and-mortar pharmacies must also make their digital services accessible; however, physical on-site offerings are not covered by the law.
Hybrid business models—pharmacies with both brick-and-mortar and digital offerings—must clearly separate both areas and implement accessibility exclusively for digital customer interfaces.
For online pharmacies, the requirements of the Accessibility Strengthening Act apply fully to all digital offerings such as web shops, apps, and online orders. Brick-and-mortar pharmacies must also make their digital services accessible; however, physical on-site offerings are not covered by the law.
Hybrid business models—pharmacies with both brick-and-mortar and digital offerings—must clearly separate both areas and implement accessibility exclusively for digital customer interfaces.
Pharmacy websites must meet WCAG 2.1 AA criteria. This includes sufficient color contrast, understandable navigation, keyboard operability, and the provision of alternative text for images.
Industry-specific attention must be paid to accessible ordering and consultation functions as well as understandable information about medications. Forms, product information, and digital consultation tools must also be designed accessibly.
Accessibility is essential for online medication ordering so that all users can use order forms and processes without difficulty. Pharmacies should regularly test their systems with self-assessment tools such as screen readers or automated testing programs.
For a comprehensive assessment, it is also recommended to involve external testing agencies that independently verify accessibility and identify optimization potential. This ensures that all customers can order digitally.
Pharmacies can efficiently assess the accessibility of their digital offerings by systematically testing all ordering processes, forms, and communication channels using testing tools and test users. Attention should be paid to keyboard operability, understandable forms, and clear feedback for customers.
A practical example is an online order form that is fully usable both with a screen reader and via keyboard navigation. The provision of help texts and accessible contact options are also important assessment criteria.
