The situation in Europe is becoming increasingly serious as many countries around the world announce shortages antibiotics in the context of the re-emergence of respiratory diseases, after the restrictions aimed at controlling the epidemic COVID-19 is lifted.
The fact that many European pharmaceutical companies have said they are not willing to increase production capacity due to the impact of the conflict in Ukraine has increased costs with everything from energy for factories to packaging for donations, or aluminum to wrap the vial… making drug shortages even worse.
According to 13 pharmaceutical companies and 6 drug manufacturers’ associations and unions, many companies are having difficulty raising enough capital to ensure antibiotic production, not to mention increasing production.
The general director of the advocacy group “Drugs for Europe,” Adrian van den Hoven, said it was impossible to keep prices below the ceiling when all production, logistics and regulatory costs were increasing at double digits. above.
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According to “Drugs for Europe,” generic drugs currently account for about 70% of all drugs distributed in Europe, but receive only 29% of what national health authorities spend on drugs.
Drug Administration Europe (EMA) and the European Commission (EC) have repeatedly worked with pharmaceutical companies and trade unions since the lack of medicine was first mentioned in October 2022, but no significant action has been announced.
EMA’s chief medical officer, Steffen Thirstrup, said alternative medicines could be used temporarily in the absence of amoxicillin.
The EC is expected to discuss amendments to the Pharmaceutical Law in March.
Le Minh (VNA/Vietnam+)