Biosimilars ensure cheaper drug supply
Working conditions must be communicated more transparently
From August 1st: company formations also possible online
The “Act on the Implementation of the Digitization Directive” (DiRUG) will come into force on August 1st. It enables companies such as GmbHs and limited partnerships (KGs) to be set up online: from August, founders can complete the mandatory notary visit via video conference – if they want to. The previously customary notary appointment in person is still possible, as is apparently also a hybrid solution in which all founders of a company attend the appointment either digitally or on site.
Pharmacies must sell biosimilars
From August 16, part of the 2019 “Act for More Safety in the Supply of Drugs” will also come into force: it states that pharmacies must sell so-called biosimilars. These are cheaper imitations of biopharmaceuticals that are used to treat Crohn’s disease, arthritis or cancer, among other things, and are usually relatively expensive. Previously, doctors could decide whether or not to prescribe a biosimilar – now pharmacies are to automatically switch to biosimilars as soon as they become available. This should relieve the health insurance companies. The imitation products are produced and tested by the EMA under strict criteria once the patent for a drug expires and are considered to be just as effective as the original.
Employers must provide information in writing
From August 1st, the “EU directive on transparent and predictable working conditions” will be implemented in Germany. This means employers must communicate working conditions more transparently and predictably than before. In concrete terms, this means that before the start of the first day at work, employers must provide new employees with information in writing about, among other things, when the employment relationship will end, where the work location is and whether you can choose where you want to work, how long the probationary period lasts, how vacation and overtime are regulated , how high the salary is and what it is made up of, as well as what the agreed working hours and break times are. The employer is free to communicate these things in the form of a separate letter or as part of the employment contract. Employees whose contract started before August 1 have the right to information. After submitting the application, the employer must provide the information in writing within seven days. According to the Chamber of Industry and Commerce, there is a period of four weeks for information on vacation, company pension schemes, compulsory training and termination procedures.
Editorial office finanzen.net
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