Plans to introduce electronic medical cards in Germany stall as doctors refuse to buy equipment

The nationwide introduction of electronic health cards in Germany, which was due to start in 2006, is in jeopardy because doctors are refusing to install the necessary equipment. Health insurance companies say they are ready to supply cards to their 80 million members but will not do so unless doctors and pharmacies are prepared to buy the equipment beforehand.

The German health ministry has responded to the impasse by saying that it is still confident that all patients will be using electronic health cards by the end of the year, as planned.

The Liberal Party, which hopes to form a coalition government in autumn 2009 together with …