It is in a context of drug shortagein particular paediatrics, that the government has accepted a price increase. The Minister of Health, François Braun, assures that this increase will make it possible to “secure the French market”. This increase was expected from manufacturers of generic medicines, for several weeks, in response to the Social Security budget. For them, the selling prices of drugs in France are too lowto continue the sale or even the production.
The National Medicines Safety Agency (ANSM) will be responsible, by May, for establishing a preparedness plan for winter epidemics to secure stocks and ensure better data availability, for example. As an additional safeguard, a “white drug plan” can be activated, within three months, in the event of an exceptional situation (source 1).
The end of the shortage within two weeks?
The Minister of Health, François Braun, after discussion and consultation with the Ministry of Industry, Roland Lescure, promised at the microphone of Europe 1, that a return to normal would be there.two weeks from now (source 2).
He assures that these are close to 750,000 additional boxes of amoxicillin which will be received, from February 6. Other measures remain in effect until the situation stabilizes, such as quotas on stocks, prohibition of exports by wholesalers, magistral preparations by pharmacists or even regular information to prescribers. These measures have already made it possible to limit the tensions already present, induced by a context of triple epidemic.
In connection with the drug shortage, the ANSM has updated his list of alternatives to paracetamol for children, in order to ensure, at best, the necessary treatments for the youngest. This list allows parents to find their way, depending on the child’s weight and age, as required. It was obviously established with the help and consultation of health professionals (source 3).