gr.euronews.com
EU Faces Record Shortages of Essential Medicines
A new report from the European Court of Auditors reveals critical shortages of 136 essential medicines in the EU between 2022 and October 2024, reaching record highs in 2023 and 2024 with 48 and 46 critical shortages respectively, impacting 21 out of 27 member states.
- How significant is the impact of these shortages on EU member states and their healthcare systems?
- Between the start and end of October 2024, 21 of the 27 EU member states reported critical shortages. Belgium, Spain, and France reported the highest numbers. In January 2024, 19 European Economic Area (EEA) countries experienced shortages of winter antibiotics, with 11 facing critical shortages. This highlights the widespread and severe nature of the problem across the EU.
- What are the key factors contributing to the widespread shortages of essential medicines in the EU?
- The shortages stem from increased demand, production delays, and high energy costs. The report highlights that low reward for resilience in national contracting procedures has increased price pressure, with EU production costs estimated at 20-40% higher than in Asia. This dependence on Asia for 70% of active pharmaceutical ingredients and 79% of drug precursors significantly impacts patients and national healthcare systems.
- What inconsistencies exist in how EU countries report and manage medicine supply shortages, and what are the implications?
- Inconsistencies exist in reporting timelines (e.g., Italy requires four months' notice, Austria only requires immediate notification for prescription drugs lasting over two weeks) and in required stockpiling (e.g., Denmark mandates six weeks, Germany six months). These variations hinder a unified overview and effective response to shortages, impacting the ability to address the problem collectively and consistently.
Cognitive Concepts
Bias by Omission
While the article provides a comprehensive overview of the drug shortages, some potential omissions could be: a deeper analysis of the role of pharmaceutical companies in the shortages, a discussion of potential solutions beyond increased production, or a more detailed breakdown of the economic impact on different EU countries. However, the article's length may constrain the level of detail possible.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article directly addresses the shortage of essential medicines in the EU, impacting access to healthcare and potentially leading to negative health outcomes. The lack of sufficient medicines hinders the ability to provide timely and effective treatment, thus directly affecting the goal of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages (SDG 3). The report highlights critical shortages of 136 essential medicines, impacting numerous countries and leading to significant health challenges. The inconsistencies in reporting mechanisms across EU countries further complicate the issue and prevent effective solutions.