Senators address drug shortages
After an expose by Il Messaggero and social media posts by rapper Fedez, the issue of drug shortages in Italy reaches the attention of Parliament. Senators from the Democratic Party, including vice president of the group Beatrice Lorenzin, have addressed a question to Minister of Health Orazio Schillaci regarding the government’s plans to tackle the shortage of essential medications.
The investigation by Il Messaggero revealed that Italian pharmacies have been facing shortages of approximately 3,500 different drugs. These include products required for life-saving therapies, such as pancreatic enzymes and insulin. The shortage is attributed to various reasons, including supply discontinuity, production problems, and geopolitical issues related to international conflicts.
With the ongoing flu season and the COVID-19 pandemic, the shortage of essential medications has become a matter of great concern. While alternative drugs are available for some commonly used medications, there are serious challenges in finding substitutes for certain medications that are critical for the treatment of epilepsy, diabetes, and other chronic conditions.
According to the data provided by AIFA, the Italian medicines agency, there are approximately 300 real and effective drug shortages, 30 of which are considered more critical. These include antibiotics, anticancer drugs, anti-diabetic drugs, and medications that act on the central nervous system.
The senators have urged the Minister of Health to take urgent measures to prevent the shortage of essential medications from further impacting the health of citizens. They have emphasized the need for prompt action to ensure that vital drugs are made readily available for various therapies and a wide spectrum of pathologies.
As the issue gains widespread attention, the government is expected to address the concerns raised by the senators and take necessary steps to resolve the critical shortage of medications.
For the full article, visit Il Messaggero.