1674131194 Mexalen and Co 539 medicines not available

Mexalen and Co. 539 medicines not available

The violent wave of the virus has caused drug shortages for weeks. 539 drugs are not yet available or are only available on a limited basis.

Pharmacies have been reporting drug shortages for weeks. Numerous antibiotics, analgesics or certain eye drops are not available at the moment or are only available with a delay, “Heute” reported. An easing of the situation is not in sight.

Drug dealers no longer produce in Europe

“Die Presse” reports that 539 drugs are still unavailable or have limited availability. The list includes asthma sprays for children, stomach pills, antihypertensives, tranquilizers, pain relievers such as Mexalen or Thomapyrin, and the antibiotic penicillin.

Read more: This is how Rauch wants to face the shortage of medicines

The Austrian Chamber of Pharmacists sees the reason for the current production method. For cost reasons, most drug dealers no longer produce in Europe, but almost exclusively in Asia.

Health Minister Johannes Rauch (Greens) therefore wants to move forward with the prescription of active ingredients, which has long been discussed, as his cabinet explained to the ORF business magazine Eco a few days ago. This means that doctors no longer prescribe a specific product, but only the active ingredient. According to the ministry, pharmacies could then switch to other preparations more easily and avoid delivery bottlenecks.

This rule already exists in other EU countries. However, there is resistance in the medical association. She sees a possible risk to patient safety in prescribing active ingredients and has already spoken out against the measure several times.

GPs queried 400 times a day

Due to persistently high demand for drugs worldwide and export bans in China, there could be even greater difficulties with deliveries in the coming months.

And the wave of infections does not stop. According to the medical association, currently general practitioners are contacted, on average, 300 to 400 times a day.

Today's slideshow #100006950Nav-Account red Time01/18/2023, 06:03 | Act: 01/18/2023, 07:02