Antibiotics for children are still in short supply in some cases. But according to a working group at the Ministry of Health, relaxation is in sight. Suppositories containing ibuprofen and paracetamol are already available again.
The availability of medicines for children has improved, according to a report – despite some ongoing supply shortages. According to the newspapers of the Editorial Network Germany (RND), the current report from a working group set up by Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) states: “Based on the stocks in the pharmacies in the previous months, it can still be assumed that the medicines on the emergency list are still in good supply. ”
According to the report, however, three drugs are mentioned with a “tense” supply situation: the antibiotics clarithromycin and penicillin V (phenoxymethylpenicillin) as well as drugs with the active ingredient salbutamol, which is used for asthma and chronic bronchitis.
Further relaxation expected in a few weeks
Penicillin V is expected to ease in February/March, the report says. When it comes to salbutamol, the responsible Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) is in close contact with the pharmaceutical companies.
The report gives the all-clear for suppositories containing paracetamol and ibuprofen. According to the RND newspapers, the experts write that the supply situation is secure here. Lauterbach founded the working group last year.
Fever juice is in short supply
The committee includes representatives from the pharmaceutical industry, wholesalers and the medical and pharmacist professions. The reason for founding the working group was shortages of children’s medicines in the previous winter.
The Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices had published a list of 343 children’s medicines for which there could be increased demand in the fall and this winter due to increasing numbers of infections. Previously, parents of sick children often only had great problems receiving fever fluids.
Georg Schwarte, ARD Berlin, tagesschau, February 26, 2024 5:43 a.m
With information from Georg Schwarte, ARD capital studio