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In the face of this widespread alarm, it would seem a duty to try to promote a rational use of medicines that are in short supply, or that could be missing in the future. Also the doctors in the hospital are called to a further commitment to ensure the care and safety of hospitalized patients. For example, the inability to continue with the established therapy may lead to the need to implement an alternative treatmentperhaps even less effective, lengthening the time for healing and therefore generating additional costs for the health systemin a circle that is certainly not virtuous.
Bureaucracy is only part of the problem
Health institutions, as reported, are already committed to unblock the bureaucratic knots related to the production and purchase abroad of medicines in shortage. In fact, the production cost of certain products should not be underestimated which, with the recent increases in energy and raw materials, clashes with the consumer price established at the national level. Basically it could fail the economic interest in producing drugsbecause it could become impossible to cover the construction costs.
These commercial aspects, together with those related to the authorisations, importation and circulation of medicines within the European Community, can be managed above all (and entirely) at a political and bureaucratic level. The health authorities aim to secure the continuity of drug supplies so that it is also economically sustainable. On the other hand, from an individual point of view, the best answer to this complex situation could be – by appealing to the sense of responsibility – of avoid stock upthat is to accumulate stocks of medicines for the winter by emptying the shelves.
But what to do in case of need for a drug that is hard to find? In general, if a drug is defined lacking means that probably it is not available in Italy, usually because the person authorized to market it is unable to ensure an adequate supply. Further information on the condition of the drug sought can be obtained by consulting the Aifa website. It will therefore be necessary to establish, together with your doctor, whether the therapy set can continue or if, given the causes of force majeure, it is necessary to evaluate different prescriptions, directing oneself towards available products.
Generic drugs and the management of the unexpected
Many of the people who need continuous care take medicines every day, they are often elderly and frail, not only physically but also psychologically. The drug in many cases it represents a lifeline, not only from a physiological and biochemical point of view but also emotionally. Especially for less recently developed products, there are often alternatives in the form of generic drugs, which have the same active ingredient as the original. Even on this aspect, however, they need to be done appropriate assessmentstogether with your doctor, before deciding whether whether or not to change therapy.
Faced with this situation, the winter season does not help, indeed it could amplify the problem because usually the demand for medicines increases precisely during the cold period of the year. If we are faced with a scenario considered at least improbable, the dynamics of recent months have made it clear to everyone how much the effects of international geopolitical issues are concrete and having an impact on our daily lives. Wanting to draw a positive meaning from them, crises like this are an opportunity to reflect on a general level on how to organize drug trade policies and the management of health emergencies more wisely.
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