Which critical medicines are in short supply in the EU?
The drug shortages are the result of manufacturing problems, increased demand, and other issues.
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The European Union is in short supply of 16 medicines that are considered 'critical' for people's health.
A drug can be put on the EU's shortages list because of production issues, a surge in demand, or a drugmaker deciding to pull it off the market – anything that limits the bloc's supply on either a temporary or permanent basis.
There are ongoing shortages of 34 medicines, according to the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Sixteen of those are on the EU's list of essential drugs that the European Commission aims to bolster through its new Critical Medicines Act.
Here are the critical medicines in short supply in the EU, according to the latest available information from the EMA and member states.
Cyanide poisoning antidote
Cyanokit is the only EU-approved medicine to treat cyanide poisoning. It contains the active ingredient hydroxocobalamin or vitamin B12a, which is on the EU's critical medicines list.
In December 2024, health authorities said Cyanokit manufacturing was being suspended after the drugmaker discovered that some batches may have been contaminated. However, because the risk of contamination is low and there is no alternative antidote, they are still in circulation, according to the EMA. The shortage is expected to be resolved by May 2025.
Amoxicillin
Amoxicillin is an antibiotic for bacterial infections. Shortages began in October 2022 after an uptick in respiratory illnesses led to higher demand for antibiotics.
Related Big pharma urges Commission to slow down on new critical medicines rules
Manufacturers also lacked enough staff to make the medicine, the EMA said. These issues have since eased in most countries, but some intermittent supply problems persist across Europe.
Some inhalers
People with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other breathing issues take salbutamol, typically using an inhaler or a nebuliser.
Manufacturers are struggling to meet the growing demand for inhalers, leading to intermittent shortages of salbutamol across most of the EU. Alternatives are available, but the scarcity is expected to last until at least mid-2025.
A few types of insulin
Patients with type 1 or 2 diabetes take insulin to control their blood sugar. Manufacturing problems for certain types of insulin – Insuman Rapid, Basal and Comb 25 – in early 2023, caused delays across the supply chain.
The drugmaker also decided to stop producing these types of insulin, prompting the EMA to urge doctors to transition their patients to other brands.
Seven cancer drugs
The EU does not have enough of seven drugs used to treat various types of cancers, including hycamtin, methotrexate, fludarabine, fluorouracil, cisplatin, fasturtec, and paclitaxel.
The shortages are mainly due to manufacturing problems, though unexpected demand for methotrexate injections – which can also help treat inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and Crohn's disease – has exacerbated their scarcity in some European countries.
Shortages are beginning to be resolved for several of these medications, and in the meantime, alternative options are available for some of them.
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Vaccine for mosquito-borne virus
Ixiaro is a vaccine for Japanese encephalitis, which is related to the dengue, yellow fever, and West Nile viruses and causes brain inflammation. Increased demand and manufacturing problems caused a shortage of the vaccine, though supply levels have since improved.
The EMA expected the shortage, which has affected Ireland, Italy, Poland, Portugal, and Spain, to be resolved by late January, but Irish authorities now say it should be back in stock there by the end of April 2025.
Blood disease medicine
Peginterferon alfa-2a, sold as Pegasys, is used to treat chronic hepatitis B and C as well as other blood diseases.
Unexpectedly high demand for the medicine has led to shortages that the EMA said should be resolved later in 2025.
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Schizophrenia treatment
Zypadhera, also known as olanzapine, helps treat schizophrenia.
Patients who have taken the drug by mouth can then start taking it via injection – but the needles are in short supply due to manufacturing issues, leading to intermittent shortages of Zypadhera in some European countries. Limited quantities are now available in places like Belgium.
Heart attack prevention drug
Integrilin can help prevent heart attacks for adults with severe chest pain and those who have already had a certain type of heart attack.
Supply issues with the active ingredient, eptifibatide, prompted drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline to stop manufacturing the medicine and pull it off the EU market. However, alternatives are available.
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Eye problems medicine
Verteporfin, sold as Visudyne, is a treatment for people with certain eye problems, for example a type of age-related macular degeneration.
Manufacturing has been limited since May 2020, leaving the medicine in short supply, though other treatments are available. Limited quantities are now available in places like Austria, with a restock there expected by the end of 2025.
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