Drug shortages have risen to record highs in recent years, but the European Union is still lacking “a well -oiled system to tackle serious deficits,” the European Court of Audit states on Wednesday in a critical report.
In fact: because good European cooperation is missing, Member States even work against each other.
For example, many countries have started the construction of medicine stocks to prevent them from becoming antibiotics without critical medicines. But because Member States do not consult properly, there are also greater shortages in other countries.
Many drugs used in Europe come from Asian countries, because production there is often cheaper. But as a result, European countries have partly lost their grip on deliveries.
The internal market for medicines is also unorganized. This makes free movement and availability of medicines more difficult. Medications that have been approved for the entire EU are not marketed in all countries and the packaging differ per country. That makes a possible redistribution over Europe more difficult.
Solutions have ‘got stuck in early phase’
The EU has taken steps to tackle the underlying causes of the shortages. But according to the Court of Auditors, the initiatives “have remained in a very phase”. For example, the preparation of an EU list of critical medicines is “an important step”, but it has not so far ensured that those medicines can now be obtained anyway.
As a result, Europeans continue to “run the risk that they will be without medicines,” warn the EU calculators. “This includes commonly used antibiotics and other essential medicines.” At the beginning of this year, NU.nl reported that more than 4.5 million people in the Netherlands are affected by medicine shortages.
The European Medicines Office (EMA) has been given more powers in recent years and “fulfilled an important coordinating role in limiting the consequences of deficits,” the Court of Audit writes. But that organization cannot do much about current shortages.
The EMA may only help EU countries with an official health crisis, such as during the Coronapandemie. The Court also concludes that the EMA is “insufficiently aware” to do something against shortages. The pharmaceutical sector must report an imminent deficit, but often this happens too late or incomplete.
The Court of Audit is positive about a bill from the European Commission that should improve the European system. The body says that this proposal, which states, among other things, that shortages must be reported quickly, will probably not solve all problems.
Drug shortages have risen to record highs in recent years, but the European Union Still Lacks “A Well-Oiled System to Tackle Serious Shortages,” The European Court of Auditors Said in a Crital Report on Wednesday.
In fact, due to the lack of good European Cooperation, Member States are just working against each other.
For Example, Many Countries Have Start Building Up Medicine Stocks to prevent them from Running Out of Critical Medicines Such As Antibiotics. But Because Member States do not Consult Properly, Larger Shortages Are Threatening in Other Countries.
Many medicines used in Europe Come from Asian Countries, because Production there is of the Cheaper. But as a result, European Countries Have Partly Lost Their Grip on Supplies.
The Internal Market for Medicines is also disorganized. This makes the free movement and availability of medicines More Difficult. Medicines that have leg approved for the entire eu are not marketed in all country and the packaging differs per country. That makes a Possible Redistribution Across Europe More Difficult.
Solutions Have ‘Stalled in An Early Stage’
The EU HAS Takes Steps to Address The Underlying Causes of the Shortages. But accordance to the court of auditors, the initiatives “have stalled in an early stage.” For example, drawing up an eu list of critical medicines is “an important step,” but so far it has not ensured that medicines are available anyway.
AS A Result, Europeans “Remain at Risk of Running Out of Medicines,” The EU Auditors Warn. “This includes widely used antibiotics and other essential medicines.” Earlier this year, nu.nl reported that more than 4.5 Million people in the Netherlands are affected by drug shortages.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) Has Been Given More Powers in recent years and has “Played an Important Coordinating Role in Limiting the Consequences of Shortages,” Writes the Court of Auditors. But that organization can do little about current shortages.
The EMA May Only Help EU Countries In The Event of An Official Health Crisis, Such as Turning the Corona Pandemic. The Court of Auditors also concludes that the ema is “insufficiently informed” to do anything about shortages. The Pharmaceutical Sector Must Report A Looming Shortage, But this Often Happens Too Late Or Incomplety.
The Court of Auditors is positive about a legislative proposal from the European Commission that should Improve the European System. The body adds that this proposal, which States, Among Other Things, That Shortages must be reported quickly, Will Probable Not Solve All Problems.