The State recently announced to pharmacists that it was preparing to requisition the stocks of 5 resuscitation drugs available in pharmacies to avoid a shortage.
- Very busy, intensive care units are facing a shortage of certain drugs
- The State announces that it will requisition all stocks present at pharmacists
- The use of products for veterinary use is even considered
While a shortage of drugs threatens intensive care services, the State has decided to requisition all stocks of two hypnotics, Midazolam and Propofol, and three muscle relaxants, Atracurium, Cisatracurium, and Rocuronium from April 27, essential drugs in intensive care.
A note from the General Directorate of Health was sent to pharmacists, informing them that the State was going to seize the available stocks and would be the only one able to buy and distribute them.
A demand multiplied by a thousand
These molecules, used in resuscitation and intensive care, are beginning to fail even though they are essential “all over the world at the same time”said Prime Minister Edouard Philippe. According to Frédéric Collet, president of the Federation of Pharmaceutical Companies, the demand for certain products has increased a thousandfold.
“On some sites, we have increased our production capacity by 40 or even 50 by running our sites seven days a week, 24 hours a day.he explains to Europe 1. On some treatments, we delivered in a week what we usually deliver in a year! Consider that we have around 2.5 million patients concerned, in 190 countries…”
However, for some pharmacists, the requisition of the State raises questions: “PWhy such a brutal measure? asks one of them quoted by The cross. Wasn’t it possible to see the shortage coming since the start of the epidemic in China? As with the masks, it feels like there is no anticipation.”
In Ile-de-France, one of the regions of France most affected by the epidemic, the Regional Health Agency (ARS) would not have started to make an inventory of drug stocks until around 1er April, almost two weeks after the start of confinement, when we already exceeded the 5,000 death mark in hospital.
Medicines intended for animals used
One decree of April 2, 2020 published at Official newspaper also allows the use of medicines normally intended for animals to make up for the shortage. “In the event of impossibility of supplying pharmaceutical specialties for human use, medicinal products for veterinary use with the same therapeutic aim, benefiting from a marketing authorization mentioned inarticle L. 5141-5 of the Public Health Code of the same active substance, the same dosage and the same route of administration, can be prescribed, prepared, dispensed and administered in a hospital environment”it is specified.
The Medicines Agency (ANSM) was responsible for listing the veterinary drugs that can be used in intensive care and intensive care units, which will be reimbursed by Social Security, while doctors must report any adverse side effects.
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