There are currently no announcing signs of shortage for the main drugs used during the winter, including certain antibiotics, the medication agency announced on Monday, ensuring, however, remaining vigilant after several difficult seasons. “To date, the availability of drugs is ensured”said the National Medicines Safety Agency (ANSM), in a statement published following a meeting in mid-July with the main players in the sector: pharmaceutical groups, pharmacists …
For the past two years, the agency has launched a winter plan each year intended to avoid drug shortages during this season systematically marked by the significant circulation of various diseases, whether bacterial infections – treatable by antibiotics – or viral such as seasonal flu. The early 2020s was marked by the shortage of certain treatments, including current antibiotics such as amoxicillin, especially in their versions intended for children.
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The winter of 2024-2025 was relatively mild in this area, as the ANSM recalls, with an improvement with regard to amoxicillin. But another antibiotic, clarithromycin, has concentrated supply difficulties. In view of the winter of 2025-2026, the ANSM therefore made a point to determine whether tensions are to be feared for the main winter drugs: they include not only antibiotics, but also fever medications as well as asthma treatments.
In general, “Stocks are reconstructed, both at Laboratoires, wholesalers and distributors and pharmacies”noted the agency. “The provisioning provisional provisions in connection with the needs of needs, transmitted by the laboratories, do not provide for a toothache to come for next season.” Accordingly, “We do not provide specific instructions or early distribution measures at this stage”signals the ANSM. However, the agency claims to maintain a “Attentive follow -up” of the situation. This point also concerns only the drugs used in the face of the main winter diseases. Shortages persist for many treatments, especially in psychiatry for several psychotropic drugs.
