Analysis of the main causes of drug shortages in the countries of the European Union

Abstract

The availability of medicines is the basis of the safety of the healthcare system, and any failure creates a chain reaction of negative consequences. When a patient cannot receive the necessary medications in a timely manner, the problem quickly goes beyond medicine, turning into a social and economic crisis. Shortages of medicines in the European Union (EU) are a chronic and systemic problem that has worsened significantly in recent years. In 2023–2024, the EU saw a record level of shortage reports (over 130 critical drugs). The purpose of the study is to analyze the causes of drug shortages and ways to solve the problem. To systematize the data, an analysis of the report of the Pharmaceutical Group of the European Union and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) was carried out. The study used general theoretical methods of analysis.