Hungary in trouble: shortage of medicines reached the country

More than 1500 medicines are missing from Hungary. These are typically unavailable due to manufacturing problems, increased demand, market considerations, active substance or other supply problems, or transport or storage problems.

More than 1,500 missing medicines are listed on the website of the National Institute of Pharmacy and Food Safety (OGYÉI). The medicines listed are typically unavailable due to several different reasons. Manufacturing problems, increased demand, transport or storage problems. However, the authority points out that in most cases, substitute products are available for patients, napi.hu reports.

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The supply difficulties reached Hungary

In response to a request from napi.hu, the authority wrote that due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian-Ukrainian war, there are indeed supply difficulties on the pharmaceutical market in the world, both in the production and transport of pharmaceutical substances and packaging materials, which also affect Hungary.

It recently made the news that a much-used anti-anxiety drug is no longer available in pharmacies. There are also occasional shortages of certain antibiotics and some ophthalmic medicines, but for these drugs, there are usually other therapeutic alternatives available. At present, according to public data available on the OGYÉI website, 1545 products are reported to have a problem.

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Working together with EU Member States to anticipate shortages of medicines

The OGYÉI is working with manufacturers, distributors and wholesalers to address shortages of medicines. As they say, when there is a need to import large volumes of medicines, quota licences are issued. At other times, when only a few patients are affected by shortages, the doctor can use the individual request for medicines.

According to the OGYÉI, global trends have also increased the need for cooperation between EU Member States. International cooperation has been developed to help anticipate imminent shortages of medicines and to take joint action on both procurement and information to tackle shortages. The OGYÉI is actively involved in these joint working groups, they told napi.hu.

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Source: napi.hu, ogyei.gov.hu