Tomasz Zaprutko1, Dorota Kopciuch2, Maria Bronisz2, Michał Michalak3, Krzysztof Kus2, Elżbieta Nowakowska2. 1. Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Social Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 7 Rokietnicka Street, 60806 Poznań, Poland. Electronic address: tomekzaprutko@ump.edu.pl. 2. Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Social Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 7 Rokietnicka Street, 60806 Poznań, Poland. 3. Department of Computer Sciences and Statistics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 7 Rokietnicka Street, 60806 Poznań, Poland.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Drug shortages are recognized as a global problem. However, studies concerning drug shortages in Europe are scarce. Therefore, the main aim of the study was to conduct an analysis concerning drug shortages in Polish pharmacies and to collect pharmacists' opinions about parallel trade and 'reverse traffic' of medicines. METHODS: The study was conducted between October 2015 and July 2016 using a specially designed anonymous questionnaire consisting of 10 questions. The tool was delivered to pharmacists. From over 1800 distributed sheets, 435 were included. RESULTS: According to Polish pharmacists' opinions, shortages are most frequently associated with anticoagulants and antidiabetics and are an increasing problem in Poland. In respondents' opinion, fines for 'reverse traffic' should be high and restrictive and manufacturers should be obliged to build stocks for a certain period. CONCLUSIONS: Drug shortages concern several groups of medicines, often without generics. Solutions incorporated in Poland and aimed to reduce shortages seem to be ineffective. Reduction of drug shortages should be a priority of all stakeholders, because it is not only a Polish problem, but it is a common European issue.
INTRODUCTION: Drug shortages are recognized as a global problem. However, studies concerning drug shortages in Europe are scarce. Therefore, the main aim of the study was to conduct an analysis concerning drug shortages in Polish pharmacies and to collect pharmacists' opinions about parallel trade and 'reverse traffic' of medicines. METHODS: The study was conducted between October 2015 and July 2016 using a specially designed anonymous questionnaire consisting of 10 questions. The tool was delivered to pharmacists. From over 1800 distributed sheets, 435 were included. RESULTS: According to Polish pharmacists' opinions, shortages are most frequently associated with anticoagulants and antidiabetics and are an increasing problem in Poland. In respondents' opinion, fines for 'reverse traffic' should be high and restrictive and manufacturers should be obliged to build stocks for a certain period. CONCLUSIONS: Drug shortages concern several groups of medicines, often without generics. Solutions incorporated in Poland and aimed to reduce shortages seem to be ineffective. Reduction of drug shortages should be a priority of all stakeholders, because it is not only a Polish problem, but it is a common European issue.
Authors: Tomasz Zaprutko; Yuliia Kremin; Michał Michalak; Jurga Bernatoniene; Lucjusz Zaprutko; Nataliia Hudz; Aleksandra Stolecka; Julia Cynar; Katarzyna Niewczas; Józefina Sprawka; Patrycja Skorupska; Joanna Wróbel; Piotr Ratajczak; Dorota Kopciuch; Anna Paczkowska; Krzysztof Kus; Bohdan Hromovyk Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-02-11 Impact factor: 3.390