Task force of experts still disbanded: vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella is missing

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The Priorix vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella is currently in short supply, the BWL told the Keystone-SDA news agency on Thursday upon request. Clarifications are currently being worked on so that measures can be taken. Market clarifications were also underway with possible alternative providers.

Because the Boostrix triple vaccine against diphtheria, whooping cough and polio is currently only available in limited quantities, the mandatory warehouses had to be opened, it was said. However, the available quantity is not sufficient to fully supply the market. Vaccinations should be postponed.

Limited availability of tranquilizers

According to information from BWL, the drug Temesta for anxiety, tension or sleep disorders is also only available to a limited extent. The supply of the pain patch fentanyl, an opioid, currently also partly comes from mandatory warehouses. And the shortage of antibiotics has still not been resolved after almost a year.

The federal government had already assessed the situation as “problematic” at the beginning of February. Unlike previous years, when hospitals were mainly affected by the shortages, medicines were now lacking, for example in pharmacies and doctor’s practices or for treatment at home, the Federal Ministry of Economy, Education and Research (WBF) announced at the time.

The supply situation has been bad for years

According to the Federal Council, the supply situation for medicines had been deteriorating for several years. For example, the global shortage of antibiotics has been exacerbated by the corona pandemic and lockdowns in China, it was said on February 1 this year.

An expert task force was then set up under the leadership of the Representative for National Economic Supply to identify measures that could quickly alleviate the bottlenecks. However, this task force was disbanded in April. Topics related to the drug supply situation would be transferred to existing structures, the company administration said.

Experts see bottlenecks in the supply of medicines as a result of globalization. For cost reasons, most drug manufacturers no longer produce in Europe, but almost exclusively in Asia, mainly in China and India. An active ingredient is often only produced in one or two locations worldwide. (SDA)

Source:Blick