Germany mulling compulsory pharma discounts-document

BERLIN, March 8 (Reuters) - German Health Minister Philipp Roesler is considering compulsory discounts and price freezes to limit the rising cost of medicines, according to a ministry document obtained by Reuters on Monday.

Final proposals on how to make savings on pharmaceuticals expenditure will be completed in the next few days and then announced, prompted by expected deficits in legal health insurance this year and next.

"Aside from long-term measures, short-term measures such as compulsory discounts and a price freeze are under discussion," the document said. (Reporting by Thorsten Severin; writing by David Stamp)