From April 21, a new regulation in Austria, which obliges pharmaceutical companies to store certain medication in stock for four months. The Ministry of Health wants to respond to recurring bottlenecks of the delivery. But there is sharp criticism of the industry.
The measure could aggravate the measure instead of improving, warns representatives of the industry. Generics manufacturers, ie producers of cheaper imitators, are particularly affected. According to the Austrian generic association, these are already working on the capacity limit.
An extra warehouse obligation can hardly be implemented under these circumstances – and can lead to paradoxical situations: medicines would be in the warehouse, but no longer should be submitted if the inventory falls under the prescribed minimum.
“In contradiction with the supply mandate”
“This is in contradiction with the supply mandate,” Wolfgang Andiel, president of the Genericry Association, criticized. “Mandatory camps only create the appearance of security, but create new bottlenecks in practice.” The Pharmig, the Association of Pharmaceutical Industry, also expressed concern: National camp tasks would combat the aim of stable delivery in a common European market.
600 medication influenced
According to the Ministry of Health, the new regulations are around 600 common medication, including painkillers, antibiotics, colds and preparations against chronic diseases such as high blood pressure or asthma. To give the company the time to implement, a transition period of ten months was set.
The ministry sees the measure an important step in the direction of strengthening the security of delivery. “Bottlenecks of delivery are a worldwide problem,” says the department. Many causes – such as production errors or bottlenecks in active ingredients – are international and therefore outside of national control. It is all the more important to be able to respond quickly in times of crisis.
Industry requires the European solution
Instead of national solutions, industry requires a European long -term strategy. “Only a common procedure in Europe can ensure a stable pharmaceutical diet,” said the Secretary General Alexander Herzog. At the same time, prices must also be reconsidered: increasing production costs with the same falling drug prices would increasingly burden the system.
Whether the new regulation shows the desired effect or actually leads to additional distribution conflicts, may only be shown with their implementation. According to representatives of the industry, it will be decisive how the responsible supervisory authority interprets the regulations in practice – and whether, as announced, it is taken with a sense of relationship.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
