Persisting Pharmaceutical Scarcity Remains High Across the EU
The European Court of Auditors has released a report highlighting the issue of drug shortages in the EU, identifying weaknesses in supply chains as the main cause of these shortages. According to the report, the number of drug shortages reported by EU countries reached a record high in 2023 and 2024, with critical shortages reported for 136 medicines between January 2022 and October 2024.
The report underscores the need for further action to address this significant concern. Klaus-Heiner Lehne, Member of the European Court of Auditors, demands an effective solution for critical medicine shortages in the EU. He emphasises the risk that certain medicines, including common antibiotics, may not be available, and the EU's complete dependence on Asia for common painkillers like Paracetamol and Ibuprofen.
The EU Commission, responsible for legislative proposals regarding medicine shortages, has noted the Court of Auditors' demand for a stronger EU framework to address these issues. The Commission hopes that legislative proposals already submitted to combat shortages will be adopted by EU countries and the European Parliament soon.
The report indicates that the EU's internal market for medicines is fragmented and free trade is restricted. Weaknesses in supply chains, coupled with these structural issues, are contributing to the persisting shortages. The European Court of Auditors' report suggests that the issue of drug shortages is not adequately addressed by current countermeasures in the EU.
Despite taken countermeasures, the risk of shortages of essential medicines in the EU persists. The report identifies significant dependencies for some commonly used medications in the EU, with the specific main specialists or suppliers in Asia not explicitly named. The supply risk is linked to vulnerabilities in the supply chains from Asia generally.
The European Court of Auditors calls for immediate action to strengthen the EU's resilience against medicine shortages. As the EU continues to face shortages of vital medicines in the future, it is crucial to address these issues to ensure the health and wellbeing of its citizens.
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