Over 280 drugs on the endangered list. “The system is stable, but there are risks”

More than 280 drugs are on the anti-export list, but – as the Chief Pharmaceutical Inspector told PAP – this does not mean an availability crisis. He also pointed to growing risks for the system.

– The list is preventive in nature – Chief Pharmaceutical Inspector Łukasz Pietrzak told PAP, emphasizing that Poland maintains stocks of medicines exceeding four months.

He also noted that problems with the availability of some preparations occur and result mainly from the decisions of producers. He explained that this applies, among others, to: some insulins being replaced by newer therapies.

As he pointed out, the anti-export list is intended to prevent the export of medicines to countries where they fetch higher prices, which affects their availability in Poland.

Pietrzak emphasized that although the scale of drug shortages is smaller today than in the past, the market remains sensitive to disruptions, including sudden increases in demand.

One of the key threats remains dependence on the import of active substances. – We produce only a small percentage of them in Poland – he noted.

He added that in crisis situations this may translate into problems with the availability of medicines, which is why it is necessary to strengthen production in Europe. – It is not enough to build a factory if its products do not find a market – he emphasized.

He also drew attention to the risks associated with the distribution of medicines, pointing to the concentration of the wholesale market. – Their (wholesalers – PAP) possible exclusion could paralyze the distribution of medicines – he noted.

The inspectorate is working on solutions to increase the resilience of the system, also in crisis situations.

– The most important thing is the coordination of activities – Pietrzak concluded, assessing that the situation is stable for now.

Mira Suchodolska (PAP)

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