hu.euronews.com
EU Drug Shortages Reach Critical Levels in 2024
A new European Court of Auditors report reveals critical shortages of 136 medicines in the EU between 2022 and October 2024, impacting 21 of the 27 member states, with the most significant shortages in Belgium, Spain, and France.
- What factors contributed to the widespread medicine shortages across the EU?
- The shortages stem from multiple factors including increased demand, production delays, capacity issues, and rising energy costs. The report also cites low pricing in national procurement procedures as adding pressure. High production costs in the EU (20-40% higher than in Asia) contribute, as the EU relies on Asia for 70% of its pharmaceutical ingredients and 79% of precursors.
- What are the implications of these shortages and what steps are being considered to address the issue?
- The shortages negatively impact patients and impose significant economic costs on national healthcare systems. The report highlights inconsistencies in reporting methods and stockpiling measures across EU countries, indicating a need for harmonized practices and potential solutions to address the EU's reliance on Asian pharmaceutical manufacturing. Amoxicillin and verteporfin were among the critically short medicines in late 2024.
- What are the most significant findings of the European Court of Auditors report on medicine shortages?
- The report reveals critical shortages of 136 medicines deemed essential for public health in the EU between 2022 and October 2024. 21 of 27 member states reported shortages, with Belgium, Spain, and France experiencing the most significant disruptions. The frequency and severity of shortages reached record levels in 2023 and 2024.
Cognitive Concepts
Bias by Omission
While the article provides a comprehensive overview of drug shortages, it could benefit from including information on potential solutions being considered by the EU or member states to address this ongoing problem. Additionally, it would enhance the report to add details about the impact on different demographics (e.g., impact on children's access to antibiotics). The omissions do not appear to intentionally mislead the audience, but adding additional context would strengthen the narrative.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article directly addresses the shortage of essential medicines in the EU, impacting access to healthcare and thus negatively affecting the SDG target of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages. The shortage affects both common antibiotics (amoxicillin) and treatments for serious conditions (verteporfin), highlighting the severity of the issue and its impact on various population segments. The inconsistencies in reporting and stockpiling further exacerbate the problem, hindering effective response and prevention.