Greek pharmacists demanded serious measures to address drug shortages during an event at the European Parliament, placing blame on companies for not meeting their obligations.
At an event organized by the Pharmaceutical Group of the European Union (PGEU) in the European Parliament, Greek pharmacists emphasized the urgent need for measures to tackle ongoing drug shortages. They highlighted that pharmaceutical companies are supposedly required to maintain at least three months' worth of stock for each medication according to Greek legislation, yet in reality, many stocks are often only maintained for 10 to 15 days. This discrepancy raises concerns about the pharmaceutical supply chain's reliability and accountability.
Furthermore, the pharmacists pointed out that legislation mandates that total market needs should be met based on prescription data, with an additional safety margin of 25%. Regrettably, this requirement is frequently overlooked by companies, which further exacerbates the issue of drug availability. The pharmacists argued that without effective oversight and regulatory enforcement, the situation is unlikely to improve, potentially putting patients at risk due to the unavailability of essential medications.
This situation reflects broader challenges in the European pharmaceutical sector, where market practices and a consistent reduction in imported quantities contribute to the crisis. The call from Greek pharmacists serves as a critical reminder of the need for regulatory bodies and pharmaceutical companies to align their operations with legal requirements to ensure that medicines remain available to patients across the continent.
