The Ministry of Pharmaceutical Industry has mandated drug producers to begin marketing their stocks of products currently experiencing “tension or shortage” before next Monday to ensure the stability of the national market supply.
The ministry explained that a study and verification of data provided by specialized departments revealed that several pharmaceutical products reported by monitoring and vigilance bodies as being in short supply at pharmacies are actually available within the stocks held by import, manufacturing, or wholesale distribution companies.
Within the framework of continuous monitoring of pharmaceutical availability, the ministry has required pharmaceutical institutions involved in the drug supply chain to begin marketing their available stocks in accordance with current regulations. This is intended to meet the demands of pharmacies across the national territory within a period ranging from 48 hours to a maximum of five days, specifically before next Monday.
Specialized departments within the ministry will be tasked with inspection missions to ensure strict compliance with this directive. The ministry emphasized that any observed violation would expose the responsible pharmaceutical institution to penalties stipulated by current regulations, which may include the withdrawal of accreditation.
The ministry also confirmed that all illegal practices, such as speculation, monopolization, or tied selling, will be subject to sanctions according to the applicable regulatory provisions.
In this context, the president of the National Union of Private Pharmacists (SNAPO), Sami Tirache, stated that the monitoring and vigilance body recorded a shortage or fluctuation in 52 drugs under international nonproprietary names during its last monthly meeting. He emphasized the importance of this body, which includes various stakeholders, in the continuous monitoring of pharmaceutical availability.
Tirache praised the ministry’s directive, noting that the five-day grace period allows medications to reach remote areas.
He reassured patients, particularly those with chronic illnesses, that current indicators are “reassuring” and that the measures taken will end the state of anxiety in the near future. He urged the public not to be swayed by rumors that lead to excessive purchasing and hoarding of medicines, which causes artificial shortages.
The union president attributed the state of tension or shortage for certain medications to manufacturers refraining from producing them due to low profitability. He also warned against some institutions resorting to illegal practices, such as conditional sales, which negatively impact drug availability.
