Medicine shortage can stay for a long time in Hungary
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The current medicine shortage can stay with us for a while. One of the triggers of the drug shortage panic is when pharmacies run out of a highly advertised product and patients can not access their necessary medication. For instance, the post-event pill is often needed, even though it is hard to get. Let’s examine the reasons behind the drug shortages.
“The current situation could stay with us for a long time,”
said Zoltán Hankó, President of the Hungarian Chamber of Pharmacists (MGYK) to qubit.hu about the shortage of medicines. He listed the following factors:
- Remaining problems of the energy crisis
- The advertisements are full of certain products produced by certain pharmaceutical companies at a discount
- GPs often prescribe prescription medicines that are not available in pharmacies
- Supply routes for active substances manufactured mainly in China and India are not easy
- As the world has become increasingly concentrated on the pharmaceutical industry, if there is a problem with a company or a component, it affects the rest of the world
Advertised non-prescription medicines are popular, but unavailable products are also prescribed
As a result of television advertising, which mainly focuses on price promotions and presents medicines as consumer products, many people are alarmed when there is a shortage of a particular drug. However, it is impossible to imagine a situation in which a pharmacist cannot offer a patient an alternative that can achieve the same goal with the same component.
Apart from over-the-counter medicines, many products containing active antibiotic ingredients are not available. There are also problems with the availability of anti-anxiety drugs and insulin.
Another problem, according to Hankó, is that GPs often prescribe prescription medicines that are not available in pharmacies. The solution is for the prescribing doctor’s software to show in real-time that the medicine is not available, but what alternatives he can prescribe instead. In autumn 2020, MGYK’s president submitted an official proposal to the competent authority, but so far nothing has been done.
What is the situation that we have experienced post February 2020 the HUMONGOUS escalation in price of General Medication over the counter?
Don’t tell me citizens haven’t noticed this, as we know in Hungary, that nothing post February, has got CHEAPER, and in vast numbers of cases still rising.
Over the Counter medication we use – the escalation for joint pain/inflammation has factually risen 100% plus in cost.
Voltaren & Cataflam – these are PRIME over the counter examples, that prices post February 2020 have literally EXPLODED – wrongfully.
Hungarians – speak up, the millions of us, that through age or for just Pain Relief or our “Prescribed” Medication, have Need to weekly or on a regular basics visit a Pharmacy.
WHO is playing the – Greed, Selfishness and Exploitation role, because that is what’s occurring in “Broadsheet” pharmaceutical prices, in Budapest, Hungary – Appalling.