Drug shortages plague Bulgaria and Spain, while EU efforts aim to secure supply chains against global challenges.
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Drug supply shortages are a persistent issue across Europe, driven by factors such as increasing demand, production disruptions, rising energy costs, and reliance on Asian imports for raw materials. In Bulgaria, residents frequently face shortages of essential medications like those for diabetes, blood clotting disorders, asthma, oncology, epilepsy, and rare diseases, leading some to seek drugs in Greece or Turkey or purchase them through unregulated social media channels. Spain is also experiencing increased shortages of widely used antidepressants. Lithuanian authorities state that supply disruptions can stem from manufacturing issues, logistics, or commercial reasons, though they note that the market size in Lithuania may make it less attractive for pharmaceutical manufacturers compared to other countries. Across the EU, the European Court of Auditors has highlighted critical drug shortages reaching record levels between 2022 and 2024, posing threats to patient health and straining national healthcare systems. The EU is responding with measures such as reviewing pharmaceutical legislation, strengthening manufacturing autonomy, and establishing initiatives like a Critical Medicines Alliance and voluntary solidarity mechanisms among member states. However, experts caution that current efforts are insufficient and require sustained commitment over several years to achieve real results in solving the complex drug supply crisis.
