Mycare Pharmacy Changes Hands After Founder's Death in Wittenberg

Ownership of Mycare, a Wittenberg-based pharmacy service, has changed hands following the death of pharmacist Christian Buse last year. Roland Helle, a former Mycare employee, has now taken over as the sole trader of the business. The transition comes as the pharmacy sector faces regulatory challenges and ongoing consolidation.

Christian Buse's passing left the pharmacy under temporary management. His wife, Yvonne Buse, stepped in to oversee operations and joined the executive board of Mycare's homecare division. Christine Buse, her mother-in-law, also supported the pharmacy's leadership during this period.

Roland Helle, who previously led Mycare's pharmaceutical department from 2009 to 2013, has now acquired full ownership. The business operates under Wittenberg's Robert Koch Pharmacy, which also manages Galenos Pharmacy and Kreisel Pharmacy in the same city. After leaving Mycare, Helle played a key role in digital health initiatives at Gematik. There, he helped develop the e-prescription system, electronic medication plans, and the electronic patient record (ePA). Recently, he has spoken out about rising costs linked to updates in the Pharmacy Operations Ordinance (ApBetrO). The pharmacy sector has seen major shifts in recent years. The Markol Group, for example, expanded rapidly after buying Atida Plus in 2022. Further acquisitions, including Shop-Apotheke and DocMorris, pushed its market share beyond 40%, making it Germany's dominant online pharmacy player. Its subsidiaries now include regional brands like Apotal and Medpex.

Helle's takeover marks a new phase for Mycare, now under Robert Koch Pharmacy's umbrella. The business continues to operate alongside two other Wittenberg pharmacies under his control. Meanwhile, broader industry changes—such as regulatory updates and market consolidation—remain key factors shaping the sector's future.