Improving Access to Urgent Medicines: The President of the Carinthian Medical Association Proposes Direct Procurement from Wholesalers

2024-01-04 13:23:00

Published on January 4, 2024, 2:23 p.m. / ©Pixabay / Myriams photos

The President of the Carinthian Medical Association suggests new ways of supplying medicines: “Public doctors should be allowed to purchase urgent medicines and vaccines directly from pharmaceutical wholesalers.”

by Tanja Janschitz

2 minutes reading time (279 words)

There are recurring shortages of important medicines, such as the corona drug Paxlovid, the influenza vaccines and antibiotics Dr. Markus Opriessnig, President of the Carinthian Medical Association, a thorn in the side: “A sustainable solution is necessary to prevent such deficiencies – which are worrying and threatening for our patients – in the future.” He sees the necessary and logical solution in stocking up on such “urgent medications and vaccines.” directly on site in the ordinations.

New approaches to drug supply are needed

The expert demands that doctors in private practice must be given the right to purchase such medicines and vaccines directly from pharmaceutical wholesalers and subsequently also to distribute them directly to patients. “In one fell swoop, many new small stocks of important medicines can be gained throughout Austria. The risk of bottlenecks like the ones we are currently experiencing can be significantly reduced,” argues Opriessnig. He calls for this to be enshrined in law, whereby the Ministry of Health should determine the “urgent medications or active ingredient classes and vaccines” by regulation as required.

Solutions required

“The current logistics for the procurement and provision of medicines and the associated dispensing processes must be critically questioned,” suggests Opriessnig and states: “It does not exactly promote trust in the health system when the Minister of Health publicly searches for missing vaccines and medication!” Joint solutions should be on the table: “In all cases where ‘urgent medication’ is necessary or vaccinations are needed quickly, these new structural options should be considered in the interests of all those involved,” emphasizes Opriessnig in conclusion .

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