From January, 216 medicines may run out in Poland. These include diabetes medications and antidepressants.

The Ministry of Health periodically publishes a list of medicines that may be in short supply in our country. The new list, which came into force on January 5, 2023, includes 216 drugs that patients may have problems buying. Among them are eg. medicines for diabetes, thrombosis, or depression.

shortage in pharmacies

Many drugs are not available in pharmacies. Due to the rapidly growing number of patients with influenza, RSV and Covid-19, it is difficult to purchase antipyretic, antiviral drugs and antibiotics. This is due to the mass purchase of these positions and the increased demand for this type of funds. However, Health Minister Adam Niedzielski assures that there will be no shortage of medicines during the flu season.

However, in pharmacies, we may also have a problem with the purchase of medicines for chronic diseases. This primarily applies to diabetes, drugs used to treat depression, digestive disorders or cardiovascular disease.

What medications may be missing?

The list published by the Ministry of Health includes 216 drugs. It includes “a list of medicines, foodstuffs intended for certain nutritional purposes and medical devices that may not be available on the territory of the Republic of Poland.” Among them are drugs for chronic diseases, such as:

• asthma, eg Berodual, Symbicort

• diabetes mellitus, eg Abazaglar, Gensulin

• thrombosis, eg Neoparin, Fraxodi

• digestive disorders, such as Creon

• depression, e.g. Concerta

There may also be problems with the acquisition of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Cortiment.