Reserves used to supply antibiotics

Faced with the shortage of oral antibiotics, the Confederation completely releases the compulsory reserves (illustration image). KEYSTONE/DPA/WALTRAUD GRUBITZSCH sda-ats

This content was published on February 17, 2023 – 12:37

17 February 2023 – 12:37

(Keystone-ATS)

To deal with the serious shortage of certain antibiotics, the Confederation will completely release the mandatory reserves for oral products. The measure, which will come into effect on March 1, will allow a better supply of the market.

So far, the country’s Economic Supply (AEP) has temporarily been able to address supply disruptions by repeatedly allowing a temporary partial release of reserve requirements. But these measures are no longer enough.

The country’s economic supply delegate, Kurt Rohrbach, has therefore called for the complete release of the mandatory reserves of oral antibiotics, the country’s Federal Office for Economic Supply (OFAE) said in a statement on Friday.

Covid et serious infections

Certain anti-infectives, namely those administered by injection or infusion, are already covered by the release of compulsory reserves in force since November 1, 2019. The prescription revision now extends to tablets and capsules which can be taken from large reserves.

The supply of antibiotics was already problematic in the past. But the situation worsened following the Covid-19 pandemic, then due to a strong and persistent wave of contamination, explains the OFAE.

25 missing products

Companies are struggling to meet the increased demand for antibiotics. Today, the disruptions reported to the Therapeutic Products Notification Office relate to 25 antibiotic products, including 20 for oral administration.

Despite the measure announced on Friday, the market will remain tense. And if demand were to increase over an extended period on a global scale, it is not excluded that the unavailability of drugs will lead to supply gaps, warns the OFAE.

In recent years, range reductions and market withdrawals have contributed to the deterioration of the situation. In Switzerland, the main suppliers of oral antibiotics are supplied by the same European producer. As the latter faces capacity problems, it rations the antibiotics supplied to the various countries.

“problematic” situation

The list of drugs that are unavailable or only available in limited quantities is not limited to antibiotics. It also concerns widely used products such as paracetamol, aspegic or syrups for children. In addition to hospitals, pharmacies and medical practices are also affected.

In 2022, more than 150 requests were filed to use the required reserves. A number never reached before. And these were used in regarding 120 cases.

The AEP judges since February the situation “problematic” on the front of the therapeutic products. A task force, led by Kurt Rohrbach, has been set up to assess short-term solutions. Longer term measures are also under consideration. They aim above all to detect disturbances more quickly.