The Fragile Supply Chain: Are Essential Medicines Disappearing From Pharmacies?

As Europe’s reliance on Asian active ingredients and post-pandemic supply chain disruptions threaten drug availability, experts warn that medicine shortages are no longer a hypothetical risk.

Growing Reliance on Modern Medicines

We are living longer and reaching ages where we face various illnesses, making more medicines essential to maintain health and well-being. Additionally, medical progress has introduced treatments for previously incurable diseases, allowing people to live much longer and easier lives with chronic conditions, provided these drugs do not run out.

Several years ago, it became clear that drug shortages were far from a hypothetical threat. The European pharmaceutical industry’s heavy dependence on Asian active substance manufacturers began taking its toll even before the Covid pandemic.

Supply Chain Disruptions and Strict Regulations

In those years before the pandemic, we experienced disruptions stemming from supply chain bottlenecks, where patients visiting pharmacies encountered information that certain medicines were unavailable or restricted, explains Dr. Artur Owczarek, an industrial pharmacy specialist and assistant professor at Wrocław Medical University.

He adds that the pharmaceutical industry is strictly regulated by state authorities. Every product undergoes detailed research, registration, and authorization before entering the market.

The Complex Reality of Drug Production

While everything should theoretically run smoothly, recent years show that this is not always the case. Disruptions during the Covid pandemic and increased demand meant drugs did not flow as smoothly as they should have.

A medicinal product cannot be manufactured overnight because the process involves strict quality control procedures, verification, and ordering active substances from manufacturers, which is a long-term process. If the consumption of a given drug rises sharply, access difficulties can emerge, notes Dr. Owczarek.

He adds that the Ministry of Health and authorized state bodies must manage this process to ensure drugs remain accessible despite global or local disturbances.

The Psychological Impact of Scarcity

In today’s world, the availability of needed treatments is a fundamental pillar of a safe and comfortable life. Health is not merely the absence of disease, but overall well-being, where a sense of security and access to healthcare technology is necessary.

Many medicines are treated as easily accessible until a shortage strikes. Encountering an unavailable painkiller or fever reducer for a child causes additional stress, making availability vital as society ages and requires a broader assortment of pharmaceuticals beyond basic treatments for conditions like hypertension or diabetes.