Breast cancer drug tamoxifen returns to Czech pharmacies after months-long shortage

Nearly 6,000 packs of tamoxifen, a drug used to treat breast cancer, are being distributed to Czech pharmacies, the Ministry of Health has announced. The medicine has been in short supply in Czechia since last year, when its manufacturer suspended deliveries, and an alternative product has also been unavailable since June.

The newly delivered supply is now being gradually distributed to pharmacies and is expected to exceed the usual weekly demand. According to the ministry, further shipments are scheduled to arrive over the coming weeks as it continues to address the shortage.

Earlier this week, the ministry introduced a temporary measure allowing pharmacies to assemble new packs from unopened tamoxifen blister strips to help bridge the supply gap. Pharmacists are also permitted to dispense medicines containing tamoxifen that are not registered in the country.