Cyprus is not facing any problem with medicine shortages, assured Head of the Pharmaceutical Services, Elena Panagiotopoulou, who also assured that at least for 2023 Cyprus does not seem to be affected by the shortages observed in Europe of beta lactam antibiotics and antipyretics.
She assured that Cyprus has available supplies of this specific type of medicines and stressed that there should not be panic as the panic itself leads to shortages in the market.
According to reports, recently there have been great shortages in Europe of b-lactam antibiotics such as amoxicillin and penicillin as well as antipyretics. A similar situation is faced in the US, China and Canada.
Panagiotopoulou said Cyprus is not facing this problem as the market here is small and it has its own pharmaceutical industry adding that there is raw material to manufacture these drugs on the island.
During a meeting she convened with the suppliers made up of the Cypriot pharmaceutical industry, pharmaceutical companies and the Pancyprian Pharmaceutical Association, she received written assurances that there is no question of shortages of medicines in Cyprus.
She did not rule out the possibility that the global shortage will also affect Cyprus, if the problem continues for a long time, however, she said she believes that it will not continue for long, since Europe is making great effort to resolve the problem.
“When there is a global shortage it definitely means that the raw materials are running out. Therefore this can affect Cyprus as well. However, at least for 2023 it does not seem that Cyprus will be affected for this category of medicines” she said.
Panagiotopoulou also said there is close cooperation between the Pharmaceutical Services and the Cyprus pharmaceutical industry and the Association of Pharmaceutical Companies in Cyprus and the Pancyprian Pharmaceutical Association with all assuring that there will not be any surprises. They Pharmaceutical Services were also assured that they will be informed on any shortages so that measures can be taken.
Asked if people try to purchase quantities of such drugs, Panagiotopoulou said that antibiotics are sold only with prescriptions. Without a prescription, she added, it is an offence to sell antibiotics.
Source: Cyprus News Agency