Find a pharmacy in Bergheim
Bergheim, the district seat of the Rhein-Erft-Kreis in North Rhine-Westphalia, sits between Cologne and the lignite-mining belt west of the Rhine, and its pharmacy network reflects that mixed character. PillsCard lists nine verified Apotheken serving roughly 60,000 residents plus daily commuters from Quadrath-Ichendorf, Kenten, Niederaußem and the surrounding Stadtteile. Demand is shaped by an ageing local population, RWE workers from the Niederaußem power station, and patients referred to the Maria-Hilf-Krankenhaus on Kirchstraße. Unlike larger Cologne suburbs, Bergheim has no medical-tourism niche; pedestrian flow concentrates along Hauptstraße and the Bethlehemer Straße shopping axis, where most of the city-centre Apotheken cluster within a short walk of the S-Bahn station and the Medio.Rhein.Erft event hall.
The market is fragmented in the typical German pattern: every pharmacy is independently owned, since DocMorris-style chains remain restricted under the Apothekengesetz. Around the Aachener Tor and the old town, the Paulus Apotheke and Stern-Apotheke handle most prescription throughput, while the Mohren-Apotheke and Römer-Apotheke serve foot traffic from the marketplace and the Bürgerhaus. Out in the Stadtteile, the Kreis-Apotheke and Marien-Apotheke act as neighbourhood anchors for Quadrath-Ichendorf and Kenten respectively, with the Apotheke im Quadrapark covering the retail park on the B477. The Löwen Apotheke and Helle Apotheke round out coverage toward Niederaußem, and several maintain compounding (Rezeptur) capacity for paediatric and palliative preparations co-ordinated with local GPs.
Pricing & coverage
Prescription medicines dispensed in Bergheim follow the federally fixed AMPreisV tariff, so an Rx item costs the same here as in Berlin. GKV patients pay a 5–10 EUR co-payment per item (capped at 2% of gross annual income, 1% for chronic patients); PKV holders pay upfront and reclaim. Common out-of-pocket items: a paracetamol 500 mg pack runs 2–4 EUR, an ibuprofen 400 mg pack 4–7 EUR, a basic flu-vaccination service 15–25 EUR if self-paid, and emergency contraception around 16–35 EUR. Compounded preparations are billed under the Hilfstaxe. Reimbursement rules and the official price database are maintained by the BfArM and the GKV-Spitzenverband.
Emergencies & out-of-hours care
Outside regular hours, Bergheim pharmacies operate a rotating Notdienst co-ordinated by the Apothekerkammer Nordrhein; the duty pharmacy changes at 09:00 daily and is posted at every shop window and on aponet.de. For medical emergencies, dial 112 — this routes to the Rhein-Erft-Kreis Leitstelle, which dispatches to the Maria-Hilf-Krankenhaus on Kirchstraße or, for trauma and stroke, to the University Hospital in Cologne-Lindenthal. Non-urgent after-hours medical questions go to 116117 (Ärztlicher Bereitschaftsdienst). A Notdienstgebühr of 2.50 EUR applies to overnight prescription pick-ups.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get an English-speaking pharmacist in Bergheim?
Most pharmacists in Bergheim have functional English from their PharmD training, but the city is not a tourist hub and signage is German-only. The Apotheken nearest the Maria-Hilf-Krankenhaus and those along Hauptstraße are the most likely to handle English consultations smoothly. For complex medication reviews, bringing a written list of active substances (INN names, not brand names) avoids confusion, since German trade names differ from UK or US equivalents.
Will a UK or US prescription be accepted?
Non-EU prescriptions cannot be dispensed directly. EU/EEA prescriptions written on the cross-border template are honoured for most non-controlled medicines. UK and US visitors should either obtain a German Privatrezept from a local GP (the Bereitschaftsdienst on 116117 can refer one) or use the Maria-Hilf outpatient clinic. Controlled substances always require a German BtM-Rezept regardless of the country of origin.
Do Bergheim pharmacies deliver?
Several do, informally, for housebound patients in Quadrath-Ichendorf, Kenten and Niederaußem — usually free within the Stadtgebiet for regular customers on repeat prescriptions. There is no Uber-style on-demand service. For mail-order, the federally licensed Versandapotheken (DocMorris, Shop Apotheke) ship next-day to Bergheim addresses, but cold-chain items and controlled drugs must be collected in person from a physical Apotheke.
Is the eRezept working in Bergheim?
Yes. Since the 2024 rollout, all nine listed pharmacies accept the elektronisches Rezept via the gematik app or the GKV insurance card. Paper Muster-16 forms remain valid in parallel. PKV patients still typically receive a printed Privatrezept. If your GP is in Cologne or Düsseldorf, the eRezept token works at any Bergheim Apotheke without re-issue.
Where is the nearest 24-hour pharmacy?
No pharmacy in Bergheim itself stays open 24 hours every day. The Notdienst rota covers nights and Sundays on a rotating basis among the nine local Apotheken plus those in neighbouring Elsdorf, Bedburg and Pulheim. For guaranteed round-the-clock coverage, the closest continuously staffed options are in Cologne, roughly 25 minutes by car via the A61 or the S12 line.
Safety note
This directory is informational only and is not medical advice. For dosing, interactions, or treatment decisions, consult a licensed pharmacist or physician in person.