Survey: Three-quarters of Germans fear persistent drug shortages.
26.05.2023 14:05
Drug shortages are causing concern among German citizens. 74 percent expect the bottlenecks to be not just short-term, but to persist in the future. 55 percent fear that they or their families will have to forgo necessary medication in case of illness. This is according to a representative survey conducted by the mhplus health insurance company among 1,000 German citizens aged 18 and over.
The Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (IDMA) is currently reporting supply shortages of around 480 medications, including fever reducers, painkillers, antibiotics, and cancer drugs. "The tense situation on the pharmaceutical market is having an impact on the population. People have been feeling the effects of the shortages for many months now, and their concerns are growing accordingly," says Daniela Wolf, pharmaceutical expert at mhplus.
What's striking is that the shortage of medication is particularly hard on women. 61 percent fear having to go without necessary medication when ill. Among men, the figure is significantly lower at 49 percent.
While it is possible to quickly provide patients with a similarly effective medication from another manufacturer or to obtain remaining stock from another pharmacy in the event of supply shortages, and some health insurance companies, such as mhplus, also cover the additional costs for certain prescriptions compounded in the pharmacy, 51 percent still fear receiving less effective medications.
45 percent also take expired medications
In response to the drug shortages of recent months, many Germans have changed their behavior. They are trying to prepare for the next shortage. Two-thirds (66 percent) have sufficient fever and pain medication stored at home, and 60 percent are also using medication much more sparingly. A quarter are stockpiling tablets, suppositories, and other medications.
Forty-five percent are already taking medications that have expired. "Expired medications lose their effectiveness and should generally no longer be taken for health reasons," warns Daniela Wolf.
Politics has lost trust
Yet medications are still being wasted. Thirty-seven percent of people have unused medications lying around at home. And one in four fills prescriptions issued by their doctor but then doesn't take them. "There's still potential here that patients can also tap into," says expert Daniela Wolf.
Although the German government promises relief with a new law, intended in particular to prevent future supply shortages, especially of off-patent medications (generics) and pediatric drugs, this has so far failed to allay the concerns of German citizens. Currently, 57 percent lack confidence in the German healthcare system.