Health
Pediatric drug supply situation: meeting near Lauterbach
Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach warns that “a tense supply situation” could arise for antibiotics and other relevant products. photo
© Kay Nietfeld/dpa
The typical cold season is coming soon. Many families still remember how difficult some medicines were for children to obtain in the winter of 2022. Is there a risk of supply problems again?
The SPD politician had already pointed out that “a tense supply situation” could arise for antibiotics and other relevant products. Last winter, after a wave of infections, problems with deliveries of fever and cough syrups, among other things, escalated.
Lindemann: “The problems lie deeper”
The FDP health politician Lars Lindemann called for broader participation by drug manufacturers and pharmaceutical associations. A reliable solution will not be possible without making it easier for pharmacies to exchange preparations. “The problems are deeper and are not just related to distribution.”
With a view to the approaching cold season, the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices has already published an “urgent list” with a good 30 children’s preparations that should be procured with the highest priority by those involved. There are several antibiotics, nasal drops, fever-reducing and pain-relieving juices and suppositories. Lauterbach had asked the pharmaceutical industry for estimates on available quantities and supply costs.
Anti-bottleneck law already in force
The main focus is on quick, short-term precautions. In order to better protect medicines, especially for children, an anti-shortage law came into force at the end of July. As a safety buffer, it makes stocks of several months’ worth of frequently used resources mandatory. Price rules should be relaxed to make deliveries to Germany more profitable for manufacturers. But the law needs time to take effect, explained Lauterbach.
The German Society for Child and Adolescent Medicine recently warned that care for children should be “winter-proofed”. We share the concern that bottlenecks could repeat themselves in the upcoming infection season. The lack of child-friendly antibiotics, fever syrups and other products due to production and delivery technology represents a significant burden for parents, practices, pharmacies and clinics. The recently passed law is a good step, but must be accompanied by short-term effective measures.