While a shortage of drugs threatens resuscitation services, the state has decided to requisition all stocks of two hypnotics, Midazolam and Propofol, and three curares, Atracurium, Cisatracurium, and Rocuronium from April 27, essential drugs in intensive care.
A note from the Directorate General of Health was sent to pharmacists, informing them that the state would seize the available stocks and would be the only one able to buy and distribute them.
Demand multiplied by a thousand
These molecules, used in intensive care and intensive care, are starting to fail when they are essential “all over the world at the same time ”, declared Prime Minister Edouard Philippe. According to Frédéric Collet, president of the Federation of pharmaceutical companies, the demand for certain products has multiplied by a thousand.
“We have increased our production capacity on some sites by 40 or even 50 by running our sites seven days a week, 24 hours a day., he explains to Europe 1. On certain treatments, we delivered in a week what we usually deliver in a year! Consider that we have around 2.5 million patients affected, in 190 countries … ”
However, for some pharmacists, the requisition from the State raises questions: “Por why such a brutal measure? wonders one of them quoted by The cross. Was it not possible to see the shortage coming since the start of the epidemic in China? As with masks, it feels like there is no anticipation. ”
In Ile-de-France, one of the regions of France most affected by the epidemic, the Regional Health Agency (ARS) would not have started to inventory the stocks of drugs until around 1er April, almost two weeks after the confinement began, when we were already over 5,000 hospital dead.
Medicines for animals used
A decree of April 2, 2020 published at Official newspaper also allows the use of drugs normally intended for animals to alleviate the shortage. “If it is impossible to supply pharmaceutical specialties for human use, medicines for veterinary use with the same therapeutic aim, benefiting from a marketing authorization mentioned in article L. 5141-5 of the Health Code public with the same active substance, the same dosage and the same route of administration, may be prescribed, prepared, dispensed and administered in hospitals ”, is it specified.
The Medicines Agency (ANSM) was responsible for listing veterinary drugs that can be used in intensive care and intensive care, which will be reimbursed by Social Security, while doctors must report any undesirable side effects.
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