2023-10-27 12:35:07
October 27, 2023
If French and European plans have recently been unveiled to combat stock shortages of medicines, the feedback from the field, testifying to already well-established difficulties, suggests a winter at least as complicated as the previous one.
Should we expect new drug shortages this winter? Thursday October 26, Pierre-Olivier Variot, president of the Union of Community Pharmacists Unions (USPO) announced at the microphone of franceinfo what “nearly 4,000 medications” were in rupture or at risk of rupture in France. Among them, amoxicillin, the antibiotic most frequently prescribed for children and adults, or cortisone, also often prescribed for its anti-inflammatory properties, in particular. The president of the USPO also mentioned shortages of anti-cancer drugs, anti-hypertensives, analgesics and anti-diabetics. “We have occasional breakups, which will last a month, two months, some maybe longer. But we also have breakups that are long-term and then it becomes dramatic.” he added.
Quotas in France?
At the beginning of October, the ANSM announced its 2023-2024 winter plan. Objective: not to relive the shortages of last winter. « In 2023, 37% of French people say they have been faced with drug shortages. noted the Senate in a report published in July. To anticipate stock shortages, the plan plans to rely on epidemiological data from Public Health France, data from the ANSM on supplies and feedback from the field on the difficulties encountered by health professionals and patients. Among the battery of tools available, the ANSM cites imports, quotas, or even compounded preparations, carried out by a pharmacist for a particular patient.
Consensus on the need to relocate
On Tuesday October 24, it was the turn of the European Commission to announce its plan for the security of the EU’s supply of medicines this winter. Among the measures announced: a European voluntary solidarity mechanism between member states or even short-term regulatory flexibilities. In the medium term, the Commission wants to diversify global supply chains and “strengthen Europe’s capacity to produce” medication.
Relocating production is also what Emmanuel Macron announced in June. 450 essential medicines, on which to focus efforts, have been listed. 25 of them were in the process of being relocated at the time of the presidential address. 25 more should be added quickly. “This will probably get us out of the crisis, but only for these drugs. But indeed, relocation and the fact that we are not dependent on other nations for the production of essential medicines is fundamental,” emphasized for franceinfo Pierre-Olivier Vario.
Less than a third of consumption produced in France
After last winter’s triple epidemic – Covid-19, bronchiolitis and flu – which exacerbated the difficulties, the epidemiological context might be less harsh in 2023-2024. Structural problems remain, including France’s dependence on the international production of medicines. « Lapart from medicines produced on French territory does not currently exceed a third of consumption”, noted the Senate in its July report. And to add: “Most active ingredients are produced outside Europe, especially in Asia, leading to a strong dependence for the production of mature or generic drugs, essential to our health systems.”
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Source : European Commission, October 24, 2023 – Ansm, winter plan 2023-2024, October 5, 2023 – Les Echos, June 14, 2023 – Franceinfo, October 26, 2023 – Shortage of drugs, finding the right remedy, Senate, July 2023
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Written by : Dorothée Duchemin – Edited by Emmanuel Ducreuzet
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