Title: Concerning Pharmacy Supply Shortages Emerge
Germany is currently grappling with a significant shortage of crucial medications, causing concerns within the pharmacists' association. According to Thomas Preis, head of the North Rhine Pharmacists' Association, seven active ingredients, including essential medicines such as saline solutions, children's antibiotic suspensions, salbutamol, and folic acid, have been in short supply since last year. This situation has never started a new year as poorly, Preis said to the "Rheinische Post."
A shortage is more critical than a delivery bottleneck. The Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) has reported 448 delivery bottleneck notifications, less than during the fall, according to its spokesperson. Despite these efforts, Preis criticizes the traffic light coalition's attempts to improve the situation, stating that they have had minimal impact.
This medication scarcity is not a new issue; for over two years, hundreds of medications have remained unavailable. The BfArM has issued seven notifications regarding shortages of active ingredients such as fosfomycin, diamorphine, sodium chloride, sodium perchlorate, antibiotic-containing suspensions for children, salbutamol, and folic acid. These notifications typically lead to a significant improvement in the supply situation due to the measures that can be taken.
The causes of this medication shortage are multifaceted. Generally, the pharmaceutical industry is experiencing supply chain disruptions and regulatory burdens. The implementation of the new Annex 1 by the EU adds significant regulatory hurdles for non-EU manufacturers importing to the EU, leading to increased costs, time requirements, and the need for specialized knowledge. This can delay the supply of critical pharmaceuticals. Additionally, the new Annex 1 requirements are a significant burden for non-EU manufacturers, leading to delays and shortages in the supply of essential medicines, such as antibiotics and cytostatics.
Furthermore, the broader issue of supply shortages in the pharmaceutical industry is a severe problem affecting patient safety in Germany and beyond. These shortages are not limited to Germany but are a widespread issue within the EU, with consumables becoming increasingly scarce.
Regarding the traffic light coalition's efforts in addressing this issue, their involvement is not explicitly mentioned in the sources. However, they focus on improving democratic processes through citizens' assemblies and other democratic instruments. These efforts could indirectly contribute to more effective and inclusive policy-making, potentially addressing broader healthcare issues, including supply chain management and regulatory policies.
In conclusion, the shortage of essential medicines in Germany is primarily due to supply chain disruptions and regulatory complexities. The traffic light coalition's efforts are more focused on improving democratic processes rather than directly addressing the pharmaceutical supply shortages.
The Federal Institute for Medicinal Products and Medical Devices (BfArM) has issued seven notifications about shortages of active ingredients, including salbutamol and folic acid. Despite the BfArM's efforts to improve the situation, Preis remains critical of the traffic light coalition's approach.
