The lack of drugs is due to production problems, increase in demand and other problems.
In the European Union, 16 drugs considered critics are scarce. A drug can enter List of scarcity of the EU Due to production problems, an increase in the demand or decision of a manufacturer to withdraw it from the market, or for any reason that limits the supply of the block temporarily or permanently.
According to the European Medicines Agency (EMA), There is a shortage of 34 drugs. Sixteen of them are in the list of EU essential medicines that the European Commission intends to strengthen through it New law on critical medicines. These are the critical drugs that are scarce in the EUAccording to the latest information on Ema and Member States.
Antidote against Cianuro poisoning
Cyanokit is the only drug approved in the EU to treat Cyanide poisoning. It contains the active substance of hydroxocobalamin or vitamin B12A, which appears in the list of EU critical medicines.
In December 2024, the health authorities reported that the Cyanokit production After the pharmacist discovered that some lots could be contaminated. However, since the risk of contamination is low and there is no alternative antidote, they remain in circulation, according to EMA. Expected The lack is resolved in May 2025.
Amoxicillin and inhalers for asthma
Amoxicillin is an antibiotic for Bacterial infections. The deficiency began in October 2022, after a rebound in respiratory diseases caused a greater demand for antibiotics. The manufacturers also lacked sufficient staff to produce drugs, according to Ema. These problems have since presented in most countries, but some persist Intermittent supply problems throughout Europe.
People with Asthma, chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) and others Respiratory problems They take Salbutamla, usually from an inhaler or a nebulizer. Manufacturers have difficulty satisfying the growing demand for inhalers, who causes Deficiency of intermittent salbutamol In most EU. There are alternatives, but the deficiency should last at least half -2025.
Some varieties of insulin and cancer drugs
Patients with Type 1 or 2 diabetes is injected insulin To check the blood sugar. The production problems of some types of insulin – Insunsuman rapid, basal and combat 25 – at the beginning of 2023, caused Delays throughout the supply chain. Pharmaceutical products also decided to stop producing these types of insulin, which led to the Ama to solicit doctors to change their patients in other brands.
The EU does not have enough quantities Seven drugs used to treat Various types of cancerincluding Hacampin, Metetrexate, Fludabine, Fluorouracile, Cisplatino, Stuterc and Paclitaxel.
The lack is mainly due to production problems, although the unexpected demand for Methotrexate injections -What can also help treat inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, Psoriasis y Crohn’s disease– He aggravated his deficiency in some European countries. The lack of many of these drugs is starting to be resolved and, in the meantime, there are alternative options for some of them.
Virus vaccine transmitted by mosquitoes
Ixiaro is one Japanese encephalitis vaccinewhich is related to Dengue VirusTHE yellow fever y Western Nile and cause brain inflammation. The increase in demand and production problems has caused a lack of vaccine, although the supply levels have been improved since then.
The Ema hoped that the lack, which hit Ireland, Italy, Poland, Portugal and Spain, have resolved at the end of January, but the Irish authorities now say that they should be there again there is at the end of April 2025.
Drugs for blood diseases and against heart attack
The Alpha-2a Hingeron, sold as Pegasys, is used to treat the Chronic hepatitis B and CAs well as other blood diseases. The large unexpected question for this medicine caused a deficiency which, according to Ema, should be resolved at the end of 2025.
Integral can help prevent Myocardial infari In adults with chest pain intense and in those who have already undergone a certain type of heart attack. The supply problems of the active substance, EptiFibatida, led Glaxosmithkline to stop the production of drugs and withdraw them from the EU market. However, there are alternatives.
Treatment of schizophrenia and drugs for eye problems
Zypadhera, also known as olanzapine, Helps to treat schizophrenia. Patients who have taken the drug orally can start injecting it, but needles are scarce due to production problems, which caused a Intermittent deficiency of Zypadhera In some European countries. Now there are limited quantities in places like Belgium.
Vertorfina, marketed like Visudyne, is a treatment for people with certain Problems with eyesFor example a type of Macular degeneration associated with age.
ADVERTISINGHis production has been limited since May 2020, so it is scarce, although there are other treatments. Now there are limited amounts available in places such as Austria, where it is expected Replace the stock at the end of 2025.
