Drug shortage:

Drug stocks are now being increased

(Bild: stock.adobe.com)

In future, the pharmaceutical industry will be obliged to significantly increase its stocks of critical medicines. More than 700 relevant medicines are to be stockpiled to cover Austria-wide requirements for four months. Health Minister Johannes Rauch (Greens) submitted a corresponding regulation to the EU on Tuesday. A stockpile of active ingredients has also been set up so that medicines can be produced in pharmacies.

Before the obligation to the pharmaceutical industry can come into force, it must be brought to the attention of the European Commission. However, the relevant medicines must already be in stock and available to the population for the next winter season, explained the Ministry of Health.

Stockpile should last for four months 
The stock of critical medicines mainly includes common antibiotics as well as antipyretics and strong painkillers, reported Andreas Windischbauer, President of the Association of Austrian Wholesalers of Pharmaceuticals (PHAGO). With more than 700 products for four months, there will be "a lot of packages", he said after a tour with Rauch through the warehouse of a pharmaceutical wholesaler in Vienna-Simmering.

Paracetamol in 25-kilo barrels
In addition to finished medicines, paracetamol, for example, is now also stored there in 25-kilo drums. However, there are "not extremely large quantities" in the active ingredient warehouse, said Windischbauer. Even in pharmacies, there is only as much as they can process, "no excess quantities", he emphasized. "The stock of active ingredients is like an insurance policy. We do everything we can to ensure we don't need it." However, if there is a shortage of certain medicines, these can be produced from the active ingredients in the pharmacy, such as medicines for children.

"Competitive situation"
The EU is in a "competitive situation" with other regions, explained Rauch. There had been criticism of Austria's high dependence on Russian gas. Europe is even more dependent - up to 90 percent - on other countries for individual active ingredients for medicines. Austria "could not wait until a European solution was found", emphasized Rauch. Parents should not have to wait again until they can get antibiotic juices for their children.

In the long term, we need a European solution that protects all Member States equally. I will continue to demand this in Brussels.

Gesundheitsminister Johannes Rauch (Grüne)

Fees for the preparation of medicines from active ingredients in pharmacies will be increased 
In periods of high demand, pharmacies can call up the active ingredients in stock and ensure that the population is supplied with medicines they have prepared themselves, explained the Minister of Health. The labor tax for the so-called magistral preparation was increased by an average of 50 percent as of January 1. According to Rauch, increased personnel and manufacturing costs are thus "reimbursed in the best possible way and extemporaneous preparation is simplified".

"The situation will remain difficult"
"I can guarantee that the situation will remain difficult," said Windischbauer, referring to the Europe-wide supply bottlenecks for medicines last winter. He referred to the continued heavy dependence on Asia. For the time being, the focus will therefore be on stockpiling active ingredients and transparency. "In the long term, we need a European solution that protects all member states equally. I will continue to demand this in Brussels," emphasized Rauch.