Delivery bottlenecks at ten funds
Hay fever medication is becoming scarce
04/14/2023 11:23 am
Pharmacies have been complaining about drug shortages for months. The Ministry of Health has not yet got the delivery problems under control, because at the start of the hay fever season there is now a risk of a shortage of allergy medication.
In the middle of the hay fever season, allergy medicines are also becoming scarce. There are currently delivery bottlenecks for ten medicines for allergies, a spokesman for the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) told the Düsseldorf “Rheinische Post”. The hay fever spray mometason and the antihistamine fexofenadine are among those affected.
The BfArM spokesman explained that the supply bottleneck for the active substance combination sodium cromoglicate/reproterol, which is used, among other things, to treat asthma, is forecast to last until the end of September. The North Rhine Pharmacists’ Association warns of the consequences. “There are enough over-the-counter hay fever remedies,” said the head of the association, Thomas Preis. “But the prescription drug fexofenadine is no longer available, although it is particularly well tolerated and effective for many allergy sufferers.” Pharmacists might give the antihistamine ebastine instead. But the patients would have to go to the doctor again to get a new prescription.
Pharmacies have been reporting delivery bottlenecks for certain medicines such as cough syrup for children or cancer medicines for months. In mid-February it became known that Health Minister Karl Lauterbach wanted to eliminate the shortage of medicines by partially eliminating fixed prices and reforming discount contracts. In addition, an early warning system to identify impending delivery bottlenecks is planned.
Criticism came from pharmaceutical associations and the Union. The bottlenecks came “with an announcement”, said the CDU health expert Tino Sorge on Deutschlandfunk. “The problem could have been addressed months ago.” And now there are only key points with announcements from Lauterbach, but no draft law to improve the situation. Hubertus Cranz, General Manager of the Federal Association of Drug Manufacturers (BAH), did not consider Lauterbach’s plan to lead to a reduction in dependencies and increased security of supply.