BERLIN – The German healthcare system is in shambles. Overcrowding exists in hospitals and children’s clinics. Antipyretics, pain relievers, and antibiotics are in short supply. Cancer medications are also in low supply right now.
Calcium folinate is currently in short supply, particularly for colorectal cancer patients, according to the daily Bild. A pharmacist from Jena, in the eastern German state of Thuringia, told the newspaper: “We’ll be out by the end of the week. How are doctors and pharmacists meant to decide who gets the final cancer medications?”
On its website, the German pharmaceutical group Phagro also warned that “supply shortages have reached severe dimensions in locations.”
The German Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) blamed the drug shortages on hoarding by some pharmacies and wholesalers in a news release. As a result, there is a shortage of medicines elsewhere, according to the BfArM.
Another reason is that there are so many respiratory infections in children right now, which boosts demand.
On Tuesday, Health Minister Karl Lauterbach only sketched out the broad strokes of a supply chain reform.
“We must pull these drugs for youngsters out of the predetermined amounts, making them more expensive. There, I will respond today as well, that health insurance firms have been told to pay 50% more than this fixed sum “Lauterbach made the remarks in the ARD Morgenmagazin on Tuesday morning.
A law’s cornerstones include, among other things, new pricing rules. This is done to make supplies more economically appealing to providers.
According to the BfArM, there are now 330 reports of preparatory supply shortages. However, according to the Health Ministry, this does not always imply a lack of supply. Alternatives can frequently be obtained or manufactured.
Source: Anadolu News