– We do notice that people are worried about whether they will receive their medication. That’s what Guro Birkeland, secretary general of the Norwegian Asthma and Allergy Association, says. Secretary General of the Norwegian Asthma and Allergy Association Guro Birkeland says allergy sufferers are worried. Photo: Marianne Ytre-Eide / news There is a large shortage of several types of allergy medicine in Norway. In particular, the nasal spray Avamys, which is used by over 100,000 Norwegians, is missing from the shelves, says Jostein Soldal of the Pharmacy Association. There are also reports from Europe that the asthma medicine salbutamo will be missing there shortly, says Birkeland of the Asthma and Allergy Association. On the other hand, this is a medicine that can be found in emergency stocks in Norway for the next 6 months, she says. Emma Medina Welle is from Ørsta and has been allergic since she was 4 years old. This is what she looks like on a good and bad day: (swipe) Emma Medina Welle on a good dayEmma Medina Welle on a bad day The allergy medicines make a big difference to the everyday life of the teacher who struggles with a stuffy nose and headaches. – Then I am able to function better, I can be outside more and am not so dense and restricted. Shortage of medicine throughout Europe There is a major shortage of medicine throughout Europe. Wars and conflicts mean that less is produced while demand is high. Transport is also difficult In order to ensure that we have the medicines we need in this country, there is now a majority in the Storting for there to be rationing of medicines in Norway from 1 July Rationing of medicines means that patients can only take medicines as they are critical shortage of for a month’s use instead of three. The Directorate for Medical Products says supply problems have been reported for certain package sizes for both allergy tablets, nasal sprays and eye drops. – We still consider that there is good access to medicines for the treatment of allergies because there are several alternatives from other manufacturers on the Norwegian market. Senior doctor Ingrid Aas says they solve supply problems by offering the patient a different pack size or another equivalent medicine at the pharmacy. Fears more work at all levels The GPs, on the other hand, are not reassured. According to the head of the Norwegian Association for General Medicine, Marte Kvittum-Tangen, it has never been as difficult to get hold of the right medicines for patients as it is now. – Then there will be considerable extra work for both the patient and, preferably, relatives. But also for the GP and the pharmacy. – We then spend much more of our time resource on finding good alternatives. Head of the Norwegian Association for General Medicine Marte Kvittum-Tangen, it has never been so difficult to get hold of the right medicines Photo: Marit Sirum-Eikre – We are particularly concerned about the risk of incorrect medication. Being given different medicines with different names and perhaps different ways of taking them increases the risk of patients using the medicines incorrectly. Many of the patients become uncertain. – Many patients spend a lot of time finding pharmacies that have the medicine they need. Birkeland also says they are concerned when patients have to switch to copy medicines, because the pharmacy shelf is empty. She says patients who change medicine occasionally have to learn how to take it. – If you are given a new medicine that is to be taken in a different way, the risk of errors will increase significantly. This shows how demanding the problem is. Published 11.06.2024, at 07.52
ttn-69
Empty for more allergy medicines in Norway and Europe – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
