2024-01-23 19:55:05
Higher fees for pharmacies make it easier to prepare medications locally
Correction to OTS_20240123_OTS0139
Vienna (OTS) – Note: In the first paragraph, the sentence “The corresponding stockpiling regulation was sent for review today” was removed.
The federal government is taking further steps to secure the supply of medicines in Austria. The pharmaceutical industry will be required to significantly increase its existing stocks of critical medicines. In the future, around 700 relevant medications will be stored to meet Austria-wide needs for four months. At the same time, the working rate for the extemporaneous preparation of medicines by pharmacies was increased by an average of 50 percent as of January 1, 2024. This makes it easier for pharmacies to meet acute peaks in demand through the extemporaneous preparation of medicines and to ensure short-term supply to the population. ***
Supply bottlenecks for medicines led to a tense situation across Europe last winter. In order to ensure supplies for the Austrian population this winter, the federal government has already launched a package of short-term measures. In addition to setting up our own active ingredient warehouse for critical medicines and introducing a support contribution for low-priced medicines, it was also decided to extend sales deadlines and make imports from the EEA area easier.
As a medium-term effective measure, the pharmaceutical industry is now obliged to store larger quantities of critical medicines. It defines around 700 relevant medications that will have to be stored in future for the Austria-wide needs of four months. They were developed in the relevant task force of the Ministry of Health with all relevant system partners. These include, in particular, painkillers, antibiotics, medicines for cold symptoms, but also preparations for chronic cardiovascular or lung diseases.
“We were able to ensure the supply of medicines in Austria this winter as best as possible through a bundle of short-term measures. By obliging the pharmaceutical industry to stockpile important medicines, we are now taking an important step towards being as well prepared as possible for possible supply bottlenecks next winter,” says Health Minister Johannes Rauch with certainty. “In the long term, a European solution is needed that protects all member states equally. I will continue to demand this in Brussels.”
Before the commitment to the pharmaceutical industry can come into force, it must be brought to the attention of the European Commission. However, for the next winter season, the relevant medication must already be stored and available to the population. The pharmaceutical industry can submit an application for reimbursement to the Federal Office for Safety in Health Care (BASG) for the additional costs incurred.
Magistral preparation of medicines simplified
In order to meet demand peaks caused by acute shortages this winter, the Ministry of Health and the full pharmaceutical wholesaler have already set up their own warehouse for active ingredients. The warehouse includes all the necessary ingredients for common antibiotics and medicines for cold symptoms.
In periods of high demand, pharmacies can access these active ingredients and ensure that the population is supplied with extemporaneously prepared medicines. The salary for pharmacists has now been increased by an average of 50 percent. This means that increased personnel and production costs are reimbursed in the best possible way and the extemporaneous preparation is simplified. The corresponding medication tax regulation came into force on January 1, 2024.
Questions & Contact:
Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection (BMSGPK)
[email protected]
sozialministerium.at
1706066918
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