MADRID, Jan 30 A decade of problems with the supply of antibiotics has forced the continent to take emergency measures, according to the Pais newspaper.
«Europe's worst antibiotic supply problems in decades… have forced the entire continent to take emergency action to secure supply chains and ensure patients' access to the antimicrobials they need,» the publication said.
The situation is especially acute with antibiotics for the treatment of children.
According to the newspaper, in November 2022, the Spanish Ministry of Health allowed pharmacies to sell 500 milligrams of amoxicillin to adults in order to divide the tablets into 250 milligram doses for children.
«These have been difficult months with serious supply issues. The work of pharmacists goes a long way in maintaining the minimum required stocks and providing information to families on how to proceed with the treatment of minors,» Juan Pedro Riskes, vice president of the general council of associations of pharmacists, was quoted as saying.
According to the newspaper, almost all European countries have witnessed a decline in the supply of antibiotics.
According to Jose Garcia Carrasco, head of Norgine's Spanish and Portuguese branch of the pharmaceutical company, Europe «is going through a key moment of adaptation.»
«The policy of austerity and the search for competitive advantage by companies has led to the relocation of most of the production to countries such as China and India. This model went into crisis with the pandemic and everything that followed,» added Carrasco.
Earlier, the newspaper Politico reported that the international and one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in Europe, Sandoz, reported a «tense supply situation.» As noted, increased demand, inflation and the energy crisis are taking their toll on pharmaceutical companies, affecting supply.