The number of drug shortages hit a new record in 2022, as the number of times a drug was unavailable for at least two weeks was 1,514 times compared to 2021 when the number was 1,007, which chairman of the pharmacists’ organisation KNMP, Aris Prins, calls alarming.
The Netherlands has not experienced such drug shortage levels as it did in 2022, Prins told KASSA on Saturday evening. Additionally, about 10% of medicines disappeared from the market altogether.
“At the same time, there is hope, now that the government is demanding that additional stocks be built up,” Prins said. This is in reference to a new policy that was implemented on 1 January, which obliges wholesalers and marketing authorisation holders to maintain a ‘sufficient stock’ of medicines.
“It is important that everyone adheres to this. This is absolutely necessary, because patients, pharmacists and other care providers experience an extraordinary amount of trouble every day,” he added.
The drug shortage included methylphenidate tablets, benzbromarone tablets, oxytocin injection fluid, clobazam tablets and chloramphenicol eye drops. About 57% of these shortages are resolved within ten weeks of being reported.
The shortage of antibiotics and other drugs has caused governments across the European Union severe headaches as citizens grow increasingly angry as they deal with the consequences of not being able to access essential medications.
The KNMP is in favour of bringing the production of medicines back to Europe. “We are vulnerable. The Netherlands is dependent on distant countries such as China and India.”
(Sofia Stuart Leeson | EURACTIV.com)
Source: euractiv.com
