EU Survey Shows Wide Variations In How Countries Deal With Drug Shortages

A survey of EU member states has shown wide variations in the way that they deal with shortages and discontinuation of medicines.

3d render of Europe map Earth globe
EU member states deal differently with medicine shortages and discontinuations.

An EU-wide survey has revealed significant disparities in how member state authorities deal with shortages of medicines, and what they expect manufacturers, distributors and pharmacies to do in the event of actual or expected supply disruptions. There are also wide differences among the member states as to how they define supply disruptions, shortages and “critical” or “essential" medicines.

The results of the survey, conducted in autumn 2017, have been published by the European Commission following an ad hoc...

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