The head of Jelgava Polyclinic LLC Kintija Barloti has publicly turned to Latvia’s Ministry of Health, warning of the consequences of the deficit of medicines and proposing a limit on their exports.
«A shortage of medicines in Europe has been active since autumn of 2022. In Latvia alone this problem has already reached its peak – especially in regards to shortage of antibiotics. Jelgava Polyclinic’s general practitioners suffer from a shortage of medicines to prescribe to patients. The main reasons for this is the shortage of raw materials, shortage of workers in pharmaceutical companies, supply chain disruptions caused by Covid-19 pandemic and the shortages caused by Russian-Ukrainian war.
First of all, during the pandemic many pharmaceutical factories were forced to adapt their operations in accordance with growing demand for personal protection gear. Aside from that in the autumn-winter season people simultaneously fall ill with Covid-19, flu and other upper respiratory infections. Many factories of pharmaceutical companies are located outside the European Union.
Secondly, the return to the pre-pandemic lifestyle, lack of restrictions, as well as
reckless attitude towards infection risks in general caused higher than usual infection statistics this winter.
On top of that, an unusually large number of people were diagnosed with pneumonia and severe flue infection.
Thirdly, Latvia’s medicine system, the cries of which for an increase of funding have remained unheard for years, is in a tight spot, as everything is tied very tightly in a single chain – shortage of state-funded health examinations, enormous queues for health inspections, increased workload for doctors and ambulance workers, shortage of doctors and low wages.
But where there are challenges there are also opportunities. It is impossible to resolve this problem within one winter’s time, but we can still prepare for the next wave of infections, because no one can guarantee here will be enough medicine for everyone.
Various viral infections and exacerbation of persistent chronic illnesses require immediate solutions. Patients should not wait for antibiotics for weeks – they have to arrive within a couple of days. Parents are also exhausted waiting for antibiotics for their children.
Before prescribing medicines to their patients, Jelgava Polyclinic’s general practitioners have to make sure said medicines are available at pharmacies. Pharmacists and doctors alike all confirm the shortage of medicines. We need clear action and communication from the Ministry of Health as to plans to overcome this challenge in Latvia.
It is also highly important to keep in mind that Latvia manufactures both paracetamol and ibuprofen.
It is possible the time has come to limit exports of these medicines from the country.
We have to major pharmaceutical companies that can produce reserves within at least two months here is Latvia if the government made an order. In Finland, for example, there is a law that requires wholesale traders to form reserves of specific medicines, so that it is possible to satisfy the country’s domestic demand before thinking of exports. This potential solution is in the hands of the Ministry of Health. We need to prioritise the health of Latvian residents first and foremost, because only a healthy person can create a blooming economy,» concluded the head of Jelgava Polyclinic.
Also read: State Agency of Medicines comments on shortage of antibiotics and ibuprofen in Latvia