In a study published this Monday, November 9, 2020, the consumer association UFC-Que Choisir warns about the worsening drug shortage in France. The investigation thus reveals that 2,400 drug breaks are expected this year.
2,400 drug shortages in 2020
According to the Federal Union of Consumers — What to Choose, drug supply shortages and tensions have grown sharply for a decade. In a study that the association has just published on its site, we can read: ” In a context where the health crisis has cruelly highlighted the flaws in our health system concerning the supply of health products, the UFC-Que Choisir unveils a damning study on the extent of drug shortages, as well as the responsibility of laboratories and public authorities in this situation “.
According to experts, there were already 405 drug shortages in France in 2016. A figure which tripled in 2019 reaching 1,200 shortages and which should explode this year with the crisis relating to the Covid-19 epidemic. Indeed, the National Medicines Agency predicts that in 2020, nearly 2,400 ruptures will be observed. Beyond the figures, UFC-Que Choisir warns that the products in question are drugs of major therapeutic interest (MITM). According to them, ” interruption of treatment (of these medicines) may be life-threatening for patients “.
Solutions “rarely up to the health challenges”
According to UFC-Que Choisir, pharmaceutical companies provide solutions ” rarely up to the health challenges “. The consumer association specifies that “ in 30% of situations, manufacturers refer to another drug, a sometimes mediocre solution since the substitutions can lead to more significant side effects, or require time to adapt to the new dosage, particularly for elderly patients “.
Other worrying findings revealed by UFC-Que Choisir: 12% of producers direct health professionals to last-resort solutions, such as reducing the dosage and in 18% of cases, the laboratories simply do not offer any replacement solution.
This is why the UFC-Que Choisir association pleads for the State to take new measures such as the obligation for laboratories to constitute sufficient stocks for all drugs of major therapeutic interest, the development of a public production of drugs in order to ensure the continued manufacture of those abandoned by laboratories or even the strengthening of laboratory sanctions. For example, only two sanctions were pronounced by the ANSM for out of stock against laboratories in 2019.
