Shortage of medicines: head of the German Medical Association proposes drug flea markets

Created: 12/21/2022 5:15 am

By: Lisa Mayerhofer

In Germany there are delivery problems with children's medicines such as fever and cough syrups.

Means for adults are also affected.

But can drug flea markets be the solution?

Berlin – There is currently a shortage of medicines in Germany.

But can drug flea markets among neighbors be the solution?

This was suggested by the President of the German Medical Association, Klaus Reinhardt, at the weekend.

Neighbors and acquaintances should help each other out with medication to counteract the current shortage of medication.

Anyone who is healthy should give medicines that are available at home to the sick. 

Pharmacist: idea of ​​drug flea markets "absurd"

The President of the State Pharmacists' Association of Baden-Württemberg, Frank Eickmann, considers this idea to be "absurd".

In an interview with

, he explains that the condition of many medicine chests alone makes it impossible to exchange tablets.

Missing labels, loose blisters and tablets for which the expiry date can no longer be determined with certainty should not be exchanged without medical advice.

“There is a lack of antihypertensives, insulin, broad-spectrum antibiotics and painkillers.

We can't simply exchange these medicines for one another," Eickmann continued.

Recently there have also been delivery problems with children's medicines such as fever and cough syrups.

Means for adults are also affected, such as cancer drugs and antibiotics, as Federal Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach (SPD) explained.

In order to take countermeasures, he also wants to present key points for a draft law this week, as a spokeswoman confirmed.

The ministry points out that not all delivery bottlenecks also mean supply bottlenecks. 

Despite this, calls for direct government crisis aid are getting louder.

"Now the Federal Ministry of Health is asked to procure the missing medicines as quickly as possible," said the head of the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV), Andreas Gassen, on Monday.

Immediate measures are needed, as at the beginning of the corona pandemic, when scarce materials such as masks and protective clothing had to be brought to Germany on the world market.

The pharmacies strictly opposed ideas for “neighborhood flea markets” for medicines.

Shortage of medicines: "We manage the shortage"

Pharmacies are currently resorting to alternatives and practicing shortage management.

Eickmann explains to

: "We are currently not selling multiple packs of antipyretic juices to the same family.

We advise and then sell alternatives.” For example, fever syrups can be replaced with suppositories.

In addition, pharmacies have the option of producing certain medicines themselves according to the prescription in the pharmacy.

The last option is to adjust the dosage.

"In the greatest need, we then say how a tablet for adults can now be reduced and the parents can help the feverish child.

So, we manage the shortage.” Eickmann advises patients with long-term medication to take care of their medication early on: “Don’t just go to the doctor and get the prescription after the last tablet, but very, very, very early – 14 days before.

Time helps.”

Left: Repatriation bonus of 10,000 euros for former healthcare workers

The situation is still tense in many clinics in view of the pre-Christmas wave of respiratory infections.

The CEO of the German Hospital Society (DKG), Gerald Gaß, told the

: "We are currently experiencing that all areas of healthcare are reaching their limits." Resident doctors have also exhausted their capacities and are additionally affected by cases of illness.

The same applies to the hospitals, whose beds are becoming scarce and who can hardly compensate for the overburdening of the resident area.

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In addition to Corona, the flu and RS viruses in children are currently causing many diseases.

According to Gaß, almost every tenth clinic employee is currently ill.

The left called for a repatriation bonus of 10,000 euros for former healthcare workers to alleviate the shortage of staff.

More jobs, more salaries and better working conditions are also needed, said party leader Martin Schirdewan in Berlin.

In addition, he called for the production of medicines to be brought back to Europe and to expand capacities.