2024-01-26 15:14:45
The difficulties in supplying medicines have further worsened in 2023 in France, approaching 5,000 reports of stock shortages and risks of shortages, according to a report from the Medicines Safety Agency (ANSM) published on Friday.
In total, the ANSM recorded 4,925 declarations last year, compared to 3,761 in 2022, an increase of 30.9%. These reports more than doubled (+128%) compared to the 2,160 reports received in 2021, the organization said in a press release.
The same medicine may be the subject of several reports by those involved in the distribution of products during the same year, recalls the ANSM in its press release.
And “all classes of drugs are affected“, underlines the Agency, “cardiovascular drugs, nervous system drugs, anti-infectives and anti-cancer drugs are more particularly represented“.
The problem has been recurring for several years and affects many countries. Its causes are multiple:Difficulties occurring during the manufacturing of raw materials or finished products, quality defects on medicines, insufficient production capacity, fragmentation of manufacturing stages, etc..”, lists the ANSM.
Added to this is the increasing need for medicines once morest a backdrop of aging populations.
Concerning the most common antibiotic, amoxicillin, the ANSM notes “for several weeks, a gradual improvement in supply“pharmacies and wholesalers-distributors”throughout the country, particularly for pediatric presentations“.
The players in the medicine chain (industrialists, depositaries, wholesalers-distributors, community and hospital pharmacists) are nevertheless called upon to continue their efforts and “anticipate supplies now to guarantee coverage of needs at the end of this season“winter.
For other antibiotics, “such as azithromycin and pediatric cefpodoxime“, the situation has, however, become more fragile and manufacturers have also been asked to release their stocks, adds the ANSM.
All stakeholders committed this fall to a charter of good practices to share their data on the availability of medicines, under the aegis of the ANSM.
1706333944
#Shortage #medicines #sharp #increase #reports #stockouts #risks #stockouts
