Persistent Medicine Shortages Continue to Plague European Hospital Pharmacists

A recent survey conducted by the European Association of Hospital Pharmacists (EAHP) has revealed that the issue of medicine shortages in European hospitals remains a significant concern. The survey, titled 'Shortage survey' and published in October 2023, received responses from 1,497 hospital pharmacists across 58 countries, including 90 from the United Kingdom. The findings indicate that 95% of hospital pharmacists are currently experiencing medicines shortages, mirroring the same percentage reported in the previous survey conducted in 2019.

Disturbingly, the survey also highlighted the adverse impact of these shortages on patient care. Approximately 59% of pharmacists reported that medicines shortages had caused delays in patient care, while 43% stated that it had resulted in suboptimal treatment. Furthermore, 35% of respondents noted that shortages had led to the cancellation of necessary medical procedures.

In terms of the specific medications affected, the survey revealed that antimicrobial agents were the most commonly affected category, with 76% of hospital pharmacists reporting shortages in this area. Analgesics ranked second at 43%, followed by anaesthetic agents at 37%. Interestingly, the rankings differed from the 2019 survey, in which oncology medicines and anaesthetic agents held higher positions.

When asked about the causes of these medicine shortages, hospital pharmacists frequently cited global shortages of active pharmaceutical ingredients (77%), manufacturing problems (67%), and supply chain issues (50%). As a consequence, 76% of respondents reported implementing clinical changes to manage the shortages effectively.

Reacting to the survey's results, András Süle, President of the EAHP, emphasized the urgent need for action to address the serious problems caused by medicine shortages. Nathan Burley, President of the Guild of Healthcare Pharmacists, echoed this sentiment, calling for a reassessment of the 'just in time' supply chains used by pharmaceutical companies for life-saving medications and advocating for increased scrutiny by regulatory agencies regarding supply stability during the licensing process.

In addition to publishing the survey, the EAHP has urged the European Union to consider enacting legislation to tackle medicine shortages comprehensively. The proposed legislation would incentivize timely sharing of shortage information by manufacturers, mandate the establishment of national task force teams in member states to proactively combat shortages, and explore the feasibility of domestic production of raw materials for certain products, particularly those heavily reliant on external sources.

The findings of this survey, coupled with the growing frustration among healthcare professionals and the potential risks to patient safety, highlight the pressing need for concerted efforts to address and resolve the persistent issue of medicine shortages in European hospitals.