Health minister promises to resolve medicine shortage within weeks

Health Minister Vlastimil Válek has promised to resolve the ongoing shortage of some basic medicines on the Czech market by the end of September. At a press briefing in Prague on Tuesday, Mr. Válek said that the ministry had secured sufficient supplies of antibiotics and other now unavailable medicines to fully cover the nation’s needs in the autumn and winter season and leave a sufficient reserve. He said the deliveries should reach pharmacies by the end of September.

The health minister also noted that the EU was working hard to amend pharmaceutical rules so as to address the risks of drug shortages by making the industry more responsible for the security of supply and granting the EU Medicine Agency an increased coordination role.