Germany has played a central role in the development of Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of Pharmacology (NSAP), historically leading its publication output for nearly 150 years. However, recent bibliometric analysis of 25,935 articles revealed a dramatic decline in German contributions, with the country falling to fifth place between 2021 and 2025. To understand this shift, we conducted a comprehensive bibliometric study of 28,149 pharmacology- and toxicology-related publications from German institutions indexed in Scopus between 2019 and 2024. Our findings indicate a strong trend toward publishing in high-impact journals: 61% of the publications appeared in Q1 journals and 28% in Q2. Although NSAP ranked 28th in publication volume, the vast majority of German research-over 16,700 articles-was disseminated through other venues, many with significantly higher citation metrics. These shifts highlight the growing influence of bibliometric indicators on publication behavior. While such trends reflect global academic pressures, they also prompt a critical reflection on the value of legacy journals. We advocate for renewed institutional support and national awareness to maintain NSAP as a respected platform for pharmacological research, balancing impact metrics with scientific heritage.