Publication in GRUR-Prax: Preferential Treatment of Partner Pharmacies on Cannabis Telemedicine Platforms Violates Patients’ Right to Free Pharmacy Choice

In the latest issue of GRUR-Prax (19/2025), Margret Knitter, attorney-at-law and partner at SKW Schwarz, analyses a recent decision of the Higher Regional Court (OLG) Frankfurt a.M., Germany, concerning the design of telemedicine platforms for the distribution of medical cannabis.

The court examined whether certain platform structures and ordering processes may unduly influence patients’ freedom to choose their pharmacy, particularly when cooperation pharmacies of the platform operator are favored.

In her commentary, Margret Knitter discusses the legal boundaries of commercial cooperation between pharmacies and digital health platforms under German law, and explains the implications for transparent and non-discriminatory ordering processes in compliance with the German Pharmacy Act (Apothekengesetz). The article offers practical insights for companies active in telemedicine, e-prescriptions, and digital health, illustrating key compliance considerations for platform operators in Germany.

GRUR-Prax is a professional journal published by the German Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (Deutsche Vereinigung für gewerblichen Rechtsschutz und Urheberrecht – GRUR), focusing on the practical application of intellectual property and competition law.

Read the full article (available in German only):
Margret Knitter, “Privilegierung von Kooperationsapotheken auf Cannabis-Telemedizin-Plattform verletzt freies Apothekenwahlrecht,” GRUR-Prax 2025, Issue 19, pp. 682–683.
View on beck-online