German Pharmacists' Day calls for better delivery of essential medicines

19.10.2012 14:51

The pharmaceutical industry must ensure the ability to deliver all essential medicines at all times. Delivery failures must therefore be avoided. The German Pharmacists' Day in Munich is calling on legislators and manufacturers to do this. In collaboration with the pharmaceutical industry associations, concrete measures are to be developed to avoid delivery failures of vital medicines, such as antibiotics and cytostatics. According to the decision taken, these measures may also include legal obligations for drug manufacturers.

According to the two applicants - the Chamber of Pharmacists and the Association of Pharmacists from Baden-Württemberg - there are increasing shortages in deliveries of medicines. Recent examples include drugs against bacterial infections and cancer. The reasons may be varied, according to the decision. However, it is unacceptable if other markets receive preferential delivery because of higher price levels. Likewise, the German Pharmacists' Association does not want to accept it if suppliers forego an alternative concept for the production of medicines for economic reasons. Proof of sufficient storage depth or contractual arrangements for reserve production could be possible measures.