In response to the concerns from residents and signals of a possible shortage of antibiotics for children in Latvia, the State Agency of Medicines (ZVA) reported on Tuesday, the 3rd of January that the institution «has been following this situation since November 2022».
ZVA reports it has asked medicines wholesale traders to submit daily reports on antibiotics supplied to pharmacies the day before. The agency follows all data on availability of medicines in Latvia. The information received so far indicates that supplies of antibiotics in Latvia continue and wholesale traders supply pharmacies with antibiotics intended for children.
At the same time, considering the seasonal influence and increased demand for these medicines at the moment, there are moments when demand for antibiotics exceed supplies. This is why ZVA maintains correspondence with medicine registration holders. If need be, the agency issues merchants additional permits for distribution of antibiotics in order to ensure medicine availability for patients.
ZVA reminds that in many cases there are alternative medicines available on the market. If the antibiotics prescribed are not available, doctors are to prescribe a different type of antibiotics. Patients are advised to ask their doctor what they should do if a prescribed medicine is not possible to purchase.
In a situation when it is not possible to procure medicines in time or order medicines produced by pharmacies or medicines not registered in Latvia, it is important to contact the patient’s doctor to discuss other alternatives.
Antibiotics intended for children can be produced by pharmacies. ZVA recommends residents to ask about this option in any pharmacy. Pharmacies cooperate, and if one does not produce medicines on site, they can ask another pharmacy to do it.
In certain situations it is possible to supply patients with medicines by importing medicines not registered in Latvia. Doctors are generally informed of this option and can advise residents on what to do.
ZVA comments the situation with ibuprofen by noting that seasonal influence and increased demand have caused short-term shortage of specific medicines. This is why ZVA invites residents to keep in mind that it is possible to treat pain, increased body temperature and inflammation using analog medicines (medicines containing different active substances). For example, ibuprofen can be replaced with paracetamol.
If a specific type of medicine is not available, it is possible to find a solution using other kinds of medicines.
Also read: A shortage of medicines for children in Estonian pharmacies
State Agency of Medicines comments on shortage of antibiotics and ibuprofen in Latvia
