By company membership, the German Medicines Manufacturers´ Association (BAH) is the leading trade organisation of the pharmaceutical industry in Germany. It represents the interests of about 400 member companies, which create about 80,000 jobs in Germany. Globally operating medicines manufacturers are as involved in the manifold activities of the association as the broadly represented medium-sized businesses. Besides medicines manufacturers, BAH membership is also comprised of pharmacists, lawyers, publishing houses and agencies, as well as market research and opinion research institutions. BAH member companies contribute enormously to the securing of the supply of medicines in Germany. For example, they produce nearly 80 per cent of the prescription-free medicines sold in pharmacies and almost two thirds of the prescription medicines as well as a major part of the substance-based medical devices, providing patients with products that are both effective and safe. BAH advocates for secure and responsible self-medication through professional medical and pharmaceutical advice. Therefore, BAH strongly supports the statutory protection of the owner-operated pharmacy as primary institution for distribution.