News from Members

APEF Medicines shortages

Medicine, the most widely used revolutionary therapeutic pathway in the world, is essential to the daily life and health of a thriving society. Without it, many of the problems of the past recur and settle in, increasing mortality and the burden on the Healthcare Systems of the different States. The scarcity of medicines has been a harsh reality that haunts not only Portugal but also several other countries in Europe and the world in recent years, having been further reinforced and highlighted by the pandemic. It has been a fickle problem, as there are times when these shortages decrease and others when they increase.

This year, the lack of medicines has been the target of action by the governmental and competent authorities, bearing in mind that the situation has worsened in 2023. However, it is known that to date there has not been a complete shortage of any medicine.

Thus, in order to try to reduce the damage to Portuguese society, some measures regarding the use and availability of medicine were discussed and imposed. A list has been developed, by pharmaceutical specialists and other healthcare professionals, of drugs that cannot be scarce in any way in Portuguese pharmacies. This measure aims to monitor the availability of the drugs on the list and, at the same time, prevent shortages for patients. Another implemented measure was the increase in about 5% of the cheapest medicines, in order to reduce the shortage of them and reduce the burden of the Portuguese National Healthcare System in their acquisition.

Given the nature of this challenge, it is essential to establish objective and effective priorities and methods to combat drug shortages, preferably covering and engaging all countries.

Beatriz Rodrigues, Vice-president of International Relations vice.internacional@apef.pt