To reduce dependence on China and India, important pharmaceutical raw materials should be produced in Europe again by 2025. However, this could make drugs more expensive in the future.
Anyone who needs a certain medicine in Vorarlberg is currently out of luck. The reason for this is the short-term supply problems of the pharmaceutical manufacturing companies. Especially an antibiotic combination preparation and a certain sleeping aid are affected.
No problem for patients at the moment
However, these delivery problems usually do not become a problem for the patient. “We can often switch to a preparation from another manufacturer or supplier,” reports Christof van Dellen, chairman of the Vorarlberger Chamber of Pharmacists. But generic drugs would also become scarcer if demand increased. “These searches usually take one to two hours a day,” the pharmacist explains how big the problem is.
It is even possible that other pharmacies have the specific preparation in stock. According to Van Dellen, this is due to the different wholesalers. These would be supplied by the producers on different days. For example, it is possible that one pharmacy has the desired medicine in stock and the other does not. “If necessary, we also send customers to the competition,” says the pharmacist.
Situation is similar to the gas market
All in all, he considers the situation to be comparable to that on the gas market. “Here too we are dependent on China and India. 80 to 90 percent of the medicinal bases come from the two countries,” explains van Dellen. Any problem is immediately noticed there in Europe. The pharmacist therefore welcomes the EU initiative to produce important raw materials in Europe by 2025. However, one thing is clear: the medicines will also become more expensive.
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.