1
|
Izutsu KI, Ando D, Morita T, Abe Y, Yoshida H. Generic Drug Shortage in Japan: GMP Noncompliance and Associated Quality Issues. J Pharm Sci 2023; 112:1763-1771. [PMID: 36965844 DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2023.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/27/2023]
Abstract
Government campaigns to replace off-patent brand pharmaceuticals with low cost generic products in national health insurance systems have apparently increased their production in the last two decades in Japan. The contamination of a batch of generic itraconazole tablets with the sleep inducer rilmazafone caused significant adverse events and related accidents in 2020, amidst increasing use of the generic products in healthcare. Investigations revealed many Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) violations and other evidence of poor quality management in the manufacturing/marketing authorization holder (MAH). Urgent inspection of other MAHs found multiple cases of GMP noncompliance that resulted in temporary administrative suspension. Various quality issues, including nonconformity in stability monitoring, in these generic MAHs resulted in prolonged suspension of product shipments and shortages in medical institutions. These problems highlighted long-standing issues in quality management by MAHs and inspections by authorities, which had been neglected during rapid production expansion. This review introduces these manufacturing control and management problems and their countermeasures, and discusses the impact of habitual inadequate development processes that disregard the quality-by-design (QbD) perspective as the root cause of the issues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ken-Ichi Izutsu
- Division of Drugs, National Institute of Health Sciences, Tonomachi 3-25-26, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa, 210-9501, Japan.
| | - Daisuke Ando
- Division of Drugs, National Institute of Health Sciences, Tonomachi 3-25-26, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa, 210-9501, Japan
| | - Tokio Morita
- Division of Drugs, National Institute of Health Sciences, Tonomachi 3-25-26, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa, 210-9501, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Abe
- Division of Drugs, National Institute of Health Sciences, Tonomachi 3-25-26, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa, 210-9501, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Yoshida
- Division of Drugs, National Institute of Health Sciences, Tonomachi 3-25-26, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa, 210-9501, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Bade C, Olsacher A, Boehme P, Truebel H, Fehring L. Reasons for supply side driven drug shortages - A mixed-methods study on first-level, higher-level, and root causes from the perspective of marketing authorization holders. Res Social Adm Pharm 2023:S1551-7411(23)00271-1. [PMID: 37225602 DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2023.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Drug shortages impact multiple stakeholders and are detrimental to patient safety. Additionally, drug shortages are an extensive financial burden. In Germany, drug shortages, according to data from the federal ministry for drug and medical products (BfArM), have been increasing by 18% between 2018 and 2021. Studies show that shortages are most frequently supply side driven and that often reasons remain unknown. OBJECTIVE The aim is to develop a holistic understanding of supply side causes for drug shortages in Germany from marketing authorization holders' perspectives and to derive implications for shortage mitigation. METHODS A mixed-methods research design, with a grounded theory approach based on a structured literature review, BfArM data analysis, and semi-structured interviews, was used. RESULTS Input factor supply issues, manufacturing issues, logistics issues, product recalls, and product discontinuations were identified as first-level causes. Furthermore, a theory on their connection to higher-level causes related to business decision-making, as well as root causes linked to regulations, company values, internal processes, market dynamics, external shocks, and macroeconomic factors, was developed. CONCLUSION Actions to mitigate drug shortages in Germany (e.g., improving business processes, diversifying tender criteria) were derived. These may thus increase patient safety and decrease the financial burden on the healthcare system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Celina Bade
- Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Witten/Herdecke University, 58455, Witten, Germany.
| | - Alexandra Olsacher
- Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Witten/Herdecke University, 58455, Witten, Germany.
| | - Philip Boehme
- Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Witten/Herdecke University, 58455, Witten, Germany.
| | - Hubert Truebel
- Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Witten/Herdecke University, 58455, Witten, Germany; The Knowledge House GmbH, Breite Straße 22, 40213, Düsseldorf, Germany.
| | - Leonard Fehring
- Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Witten/Herdecke University, 58455, Witten, Germany; Helios Universitätsklinikum Wuppertal, Medizinische Klinik für Gastroenterologie, Hepatologie Endokrionologie und Diabetoloige, Heusnerstraße 40, Wuppertal, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Saeed G, Kohler JC, Cuomo RE, Mackey TK. A systematic review of digital technology and innovation and its potential to address anti-corruption, transparency, and accountability in the pharmaceutical supply chain. Expert Opin Drug Saf 2022; 21:1061-1088. [PMID: 35714366 DOI: 10.1080/14740338.2022.2091543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The urgent need to acquire medical supplies amidst the COVID-19 pandemic has led to bypassing of controls that govern the global pharmaceutical supply chain, increasing the risk of corruption. Hence, promoting anti-corruption, transparency, and accountability (ACTA) in supply chain and procurement has never been more important. The adoption of digital tools, if designed and implemented appropriately, can reduce the risks of corruption. AREAS COVERED Following PRISMA guidelines, we conducted an interdisciplinary systematic review of health/medicine, humanities/social sciences, engineering, and computer science literature, with the aims of identifying technologies used for pharmaceutical supply chain and procurement optimization and reviewing whether they address ACTA mechanisms to strengthen pharmaceutical governance. Our review identified four distinct categories of digital solutions: e-procurement and open contracting; track-and-trace technology; anti-counterfeiting technology; and blockchain technology. EXPERT OPINION Findings demonstrate an increase in research of technologies to improve pharmaceutical supply chain and procurement functions; however, most technologies are not being leveraged to directly address ACTA or global health outcomes. Some blockchain and RFID technologies incorporated ACTA mechanisms and mentioned specific policy/governance frameworks, but more purposeful linkage is needed. Findings point to the need for targeted policy development and governance to activate these innovative technologies to improve global health .
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gul Saeed
- Accountability and Transparency in the Pharmaceutical Sector, WHO Collaborating Centre for Governance, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jillian C Kohler
- Accountability and Transparency in the Pharmaceutical Sector, WHO Collaborating Centre for Governance, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Raphael E Cuomo
- Global Health Policy and Data Institute, San Diego, CA, USA.,Department of Anesthesiology, University of California, San Diego - School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Tim K Mackey
- Accountability and Transparency in the Pharmaceutical Sector, WHO Collaborating Centre for Governance, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Global Health Policy and Data Institute, San Diego, CA, USA.,Global Health Program, Department of Anthropology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Liu I, Colmenares E, Tak C, Vest MH, Clark H, Oertel M, Pappas A. Development and validation of a predictive model to predict and manage drug shortages. Am J Health Syst Pharm 2021; 78:1309-1316. [PMID: 33821926 PMCID: PMC8271205 DOI: 10.1093/ajhp/zxab152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Pharmacy departments across the country are problem-solving the growing issue of drug shortages. We aim to change the drug shortage management strategy from a reactive process to a more proactive approach using predictive data analytics. By doing so, we can drive our decision-making to more efficiently manage drug shortages. METHODS Internal purchasing, formulary, and drug shortage data were reviewed to identify drugs subject to a high shortage risk ("shortage drugs") or not subject to a high shortage risk ("nonshortage drugs"). Potential candidate predictors of drug shortage risk were collected from previous literature. The dataset was trained and tested using 2 methods, including k-fold cross-validation and a 70/30 partition into a training dataset and a testing dataset, respectively. RESULTS A total of 1,517 shortage and nonshortage drugs were included. The following candidate predictors were used to build the dataset: dosage form, therapeutic class, controlled substance schedule (Schedule II or Schedules III-V), orphan drug status, generic versus branded status, and number of manufacturers. Predictors that positively predicted shortages included classification of drugs as intravenous-only, both oral and intravenous, antimicrobials, analgesics, electrolytes, anesthetics, and cardiovascular agents. Predictors that negatively predicted a shortage included classification as an oral-only agent, branded-only agent, antipsychotic, Schedule II agent, or orphan drug, as well as the total number of manufacturers. The calculated sensitivity was 0.71; the specificity, 0.93; the accuracy, 0.87; and the C statistic, 0.93. CONCLUSION The study demonstrated the use of predictive analytics to create a drug shortage model using drug characteristics and manufacturing variables.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ina Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina Medical Center, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Evan Colmenares
- Department of Pharmacy, UNC Health, Morrisville, NC, USA
- University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Casey Tak
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Asheville, NC, USA
| | - Mary-Haston Vest
- Department of Pharmacy, UNC Health, Morrisville, NC, USA
- University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Henry Clark
- University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | | | - Ashley Pappas
- Department of Pharmacy, UNC Health, Morrisville, NC, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Shukar S, Zahoor F, Hayat K, Saeed A, Gillani AH, Omer S, Hu S, Babar ZUD, Fang Y, Yang C. Drug Shortage: Causes, Impact, and Mitigation Strategies. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:693426. [PMID: 34305603 PMCID: PMC8299364 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.693426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug shortage is a global issue affecting low, middle, and high-income countries. Many countries have developed various strategies to overcome the problem, while the problem is accelerating, affecting the whole world. All types of drugs, such as essential life-saving drugs, oncology medicines, antimicrobial drugs, analgesics, opioids, cardiovascular drugs, radiopharmaceutical, and parenteral products, are liable to the shortage. Among all pharmaceutical dosage forms, sterile injectable products have a higher risk of shortage than other forms. The causes of shortage are multifactorial, including supply issues, demand issues, and regulatory issues. Supply issues consist of manufacturing problems, unavailability of raw materials, logistic problems, and business problems. In contrast, demand issues include just-in-time inventory, higher demand for a product, seasonal demand, and unpredictable demand. For regulatory issues, one important factor is the lack of a unified definition of drug shortage. Drug shortage affects all stakeholders from economic, clinical, and humanistic aspects. WHO established global mitigation strategies from four levels to overcome drug shortages globally. It includes a workaround to tackle the current shortage, operational improvements to reduce the shortage risk and achieve early warning, changes in governmental policies, and education and training of all health professionals about managing shortages.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sundus Shukar
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xian Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Shaanxi Centre for Health Reform and Development Research, Xi’an, China
- Research Institute for Drug Safety and Monitoring, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, China’s Western Technological Innovation Harbor, Xi’an, China
| | - Fatima Zahoor
- Department of Pharmacy, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
- Yusra Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Khezar Hayat
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xian Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Shaanxi Centre for Health Reform and Development Research, Xi’an, China
- Research Institute for Drug Safety and Monitoring, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, China’s Western Technological Innovation Harbor, Xi’an, China
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Amna Saeed
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xian Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Shaanxi Centre for Health Reform and Development Research, Xi’an, China
- Research Institute for Drug Safety and Monitoring, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, China’s Western Technological Innovation Harbor, Xi’an, China
| | - Ali Hassan Gillani
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xian Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Shaanxi Centre for Health Reform and Development Research, Xi’an, China
- Research Institute for Drug Safety and Monitoring, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, China’s Western Technological Innovation Harbor, Xi’an, China
| | - Sumaira Omer
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xian Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Shaanxi Centre for Health Reform and Development Research, Xi’an, China
- Research Institute for Drug Safety and Monitoring, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, China’s Western Technological Innovation Harbor, Xi’an, China
| | - Shuchen Hu
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xian Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Shaanxi Centre for Health Reform and Development Research, Xi’an, China
- Research Institute for Drug Safety and Monitoring, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, China’s Western Technological Innovation Harbor, Xi’an, China
| | - Zaheer-Ud-Din Babar
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, United Kingdom
| | - Yu Fang
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xian Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Shaanxi Centre for Health Reform and Development Research, Xi’an, China
- Research Institute for Drug Safety and Monitoring, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, China’s Western Technological Innovation Harbor, Xi’an, China
| | - Caijun Yang
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xian Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Shaanxi Centre for Health Reform and Development Research, Xi’an, China
- Research Institute for Drug Safety and Monitoring, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, China’s Western Technological Innovation Harbor, Xi’an, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Panzitta M, Calamassi N, Sabatini C, Grassi M, Spagnoli C, Vizzini V, Ricchiuto E, Venturini A, Brogi A, Brassier Font J, Pontello L, Bruno G, Minghetti P, Ricci M. Spectrophotometry and pharmaceutical PAT/RTRT: Practical challenges and regulatory landscape from development to product lifecycle. Int J Pharm 2021; 601:120551. [PMID: 33831483 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2021.120551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
European Pharmacopoeia includes dedicated chapters for Raman, NIR and Chemometrics, as well as there is a lot of Academia research on the matter. Despite that, the word innovation is often associated to such tools and there is a still slow implementation at industry. The paper is the outcome of the Associazione Farmaceutici dell'Industria (AFI) Study Group on Process Innovation and Product Lifecycle; the aim is to describe some case studies referring to practical approaches in pharmaceutical industry, in order to depict challenges and opportunities for the implementation of spectroscopic techniques. Case studies include: feasibility and pre-screening evaluations, chemometric model development approaches, way for the method maintenance during commercial manufacturing, challenges for implementation on existing equipment and on sterile processes. Case studies refer to oral solid products, liquid products and sterile Active Pharmaceutical Ingradient (API) manufacturing. There are already successful and robust spectroscopic applications in pharmaceutical industry and the technology is mature: this is the outcome of a strong applied research performed at pharmaceutical production departments. It is necessary to acknowledge efforts done by industry as Research for strengthening the cooperation with Academia, so that advantage of process innovation might reach the patients in a fastest way.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michele Panzitta
- A. Menarini M.L.&S, Via R. Pilo 4, 50131 Firenze, Italy; AFI, Study Group on Product Lifecycle and Process Innovation, viale Ranzoni, 1 20041 Milano
| | - Niccolò Calamassi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Perugia, via del Liceo 1, 06123 Perugia, Italy; AFI, Study Group on Product Lifecycle and Process Innovation, viale Ranzoni, 1 20041 Milano.
| | - Cristina Sabatini
- Janssen Cilag, Via C. Janssen, 04100 Latina LT, Italy; AFI, Study Group on Product Lifecycle and Process Innovation, viale Ranzoni, 1 20041 Milano
| | - Marzia Grassi
- Janssen Cilag, Via C. Janssen, 04100 Latina LT, Italy; AFI, Study Group on Product Lifecycle and Process Innovation, viale Ranzoni, 1 20041 Milano
| | - Chiara Spagnoli
- AFI, Study Group on Product Lifecycle and Process Innovation, viale Ranzoni, 1 20041 Milano; Istituto Biochimico Italiano Giovanni Lorenzini, Via Fossignano, 2, 04011 Aprilia (LT), Italy
| | - Vittoria Vizzini
- AFI, Study Group on Product Lifecycle and Process Innovation, viale Ranzoni, 1 20041 Milano; Istituto Biochimico Italiano Giovanni Lorenzini, Via Fossignano, 2, 04011 Aprilia (LT), Italy
| | - Elisa Ricchiuto
- AFI, Study Group on Product Lifecycle and Process Innovation, viale Ranzoni, 1 20041 Milano; Istituto Biochimico Italiano Giovanni Lorenzini, Via Fossignano, 2, 04011 Aprilia (LT), Italy
| | - Andrea Venturini
- AFI, Study Group on Product Lifecycle and Process Innovation, viale Ranzoni, 1 20041 Milano; Chiesi Italia, Via Palermo, 26/a, 43122 Parma (PR), Italy
| | - Andrea Brogi
- A. Menarini M.L.&S, Via R. Pilo 4, 50131 Firenze, Italy
| | | | - Lino Pontello
- AFI-Associazione Farmaceutici dell'Industria, Viale Ranzoni, 1 20041 Milano
| | - Giorgio Bruno
- AFI-Associazione Farmaceutici dell'Industria, Viale Ranzoni, 1 20041 Milano; Recipharm AB, via Filippo Serperio, 2, Masate (Mi), Italy
| | - Paola Minghetti
- AFI-Associazione Farmaceutici dell'Industria, Viale Ranzoni, 1 20041 Milano; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Colombo, 71. 20133 MILANO (MI), Italy
| | - Maurizio Ricci
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Perugia, via del Liceo 1, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Izutsu KI, Abe Y, Yoshida H. Approaches to supply bioequivalent oral solid pharmaceutical formulations through the lifecycles of products: Four-media dissolution monitoring program in Japan. J Drug Deliv Sci Technol 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jddst.2019.101378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
|
8
|
Musazzi UM, Di Giorgio D, Minghetti P. New regulatory strategies to manage medicines shortages in Europe. Int J Pharm 2020; 579:119171. [PMID: 32092455 PMCID: PMC7125892 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2020.119171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Revised: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Medicine shortages have been spreading in European countries. In many cases, the unavailability of medicinal products has a substantial impact on the capability of National Healthcare Systems in ensuring the continuity of care. Shortages originate from multifactorial causes. In particular, they can be due to supply-related factors (e.g., manufacturing issues, regulatory issues, logistics, distribution) and demand-related ones (e.g., fluctuating drug demand, parallel market, tendering, price and reimbursement policies). However, some extraordinary geopolitical events (e.g., Brexit) may also affect medicines’ availability. The capability of European Regulatory Authorities and other stakeholders, which are involved in the pharmaceutical distribution chain and the healthcare assistance services, to define suitable problem-solving strategies has been limited for years by the fragmentation of the European regulatory framework, starting from the lack of a univocal definition of a medicine shortage. Only in 2019, the EMA and HMA joint task force released the first harmonized “shortage” definition in the European Economic Area (EEA) and guidance on public communication. This manuscript aims to review the current European regulatory framework on medicine shortages. To support the activities of regulators, manufacturers and other healthcare professionals, an algorithm was also proposed to be used as a harmonized procedure to determine the shortage/unavailability impact on public health and to rationalize the problem-solving strategies adopted in all different settings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Umberto M Musazzi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Giuseppe Colombo, 71, 20133 Milan, Italy.
| | | | - Paola Minghetti
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Giuseppe Colombo, 71, 20133 Milan, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Di Giorgio D, Scrofina G, Scognamiglio B, Di Carluccio N, Tulimiero R, Pietrosanto A, Petrone P, De Iure M, Chimenti MG, Pozzetti E, Giacomazzi M, Berno R, Lupo M, Giaccone M, Pani M, Cesta E, Cruciani O, Maione C, Gramazio M, Derossi G. Tackling distribution-related shortages of medicines: An Italian case study evaluated in the European Union framework. MEDICINE ACCESS @ POINT OF CARE 2019. [DOI: 10.1177/2399202619856859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Availability of human medicines is affected by problems associated with both manufacturing and distribution-related issues. The lack of definition of “shortages” or “unavailability” of medicines in European regulation represents an obstacle to the set up of proper preventive and counteracting measures. In this review, we describe how, within this framework, Italy started a program of shared activities, involving central and local authorities, police forces, and private stakeholders’ associations through an “ ad hoc technical forum,” that reduced the extent of the problem, at least in the short term, as demonstrated through some indicators defined by considering the key medicines affected by unavailability due to distribution-related issues. These measures should be strengthened and complemented with others so as to ensure their effectiveness in the long term.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Nadia Di Carluccio
- Public Companies and Social-Pharmaceutical Service Providers Association (Assofarm), Rome, Italy
| | - Romina Tulimiero
- Italian Generic Medicines Manufacturers Association (Assogenerici), Rome, Italy
| | - Adriano Pietrosanto
- Italian Generic Medicines Manufacturers Association (Assogenerici), Rome, Italy
| | - Pierluigi Petrone
- Pharmaceutical Distribution Logistic/Commercial Service Providers Association (ASSORAM), Rome, Italy
| | - Mila De Iure
- Pharmaceutical Distribution Logistic/Commercial Service Providers Association (ASSORAM), Rome, Italy
| | | | - Elisabetta Pozzetti
- Farmindustria the Association of Pharmaceutical Companies in Italy, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Riccardo Berno
- Italian Pharmacy Owners Federation (Federfarma), Rome, Italy
| | - Monica Lupo
- Italian Association of Providers of Service for Pharmacies (Federfarma Servizi), Rome, Italy
| | - Mario Giaccone
- Federation of the Orders of Italian Pharmacists (FOFI), Rome, Italy
| | - Marcello Pani
- Italian Society of Hospital Pharmacy (SIFO), Milan, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|