Ministry of Health: Romania is not facing a medicine crisis

The Minister of Health, Alexandru Rogobete, stated that our country is not currently facing a medicine crisis, but stressed that the authorities are closely following developments on the international market to prevent any malfunctions. According to the official, an inter-institutional working group has been set up at the level of the Ministry of Health, which includes key institutions such as Unifarm Company, Antibiotice Iaşi and the National Medicines Agency.

This group has the role of monitoring stocks of essential medicines and identifying possible price fluctuations or syncopes in production and distribution in advance. "We are not in a crisis, but there are signals at the international level that determine us to be cautious. The role of this group is a preventive one, in order to anticipate possible shortages and to identify alternatives," the minister explained.

• Connection to European mechanisms

The official specified that the national mechanism is connected to the European Medicines Agency, which allows for more efficient coordination in the event of supply disruptions. The main goal is to avoid bottlenecks in the delivery of critical medicines, in the context of tensions on global production chains. The minister explained that the Romanian medicines market is divided into two main categories. On the one hand, prescription medicines, reimbursed by the National Health Insurance House or the Ministry of Health, have regulated prices, which allows for interventions in the event of cost increases. On the other hand, OTC (over-the-counter) medicines cannot be directly regulated in terms of price. However, their costs can be indirectly influenced by fiscal measures, such as reducing excise duties on fuel, which affect transport and distribution.

"There are situations in which transportation can become more expensive than the medicine itself, and in such cases, pressure on prices can arise," Rogobete pointed out.

• External risks and alternative sources of supply

The minister drew attention to external risks that may affect the production of medicines, especially in the context of the problems in the Middle East, where important production units and suppliers of raw materials are located. These disruptions may have a knock-on effect on the European pharmaceutical industry, including Romania. In this context, the authorities are analyzing the possibility of diversifying suppliers, including through collaborations with companies in the United States.

• A strategy of anticipation, not reaction

The authorities' message is one of caution, not alarm. Although there is currently no crisis, the global dynamics of the production and distribution of medicines require a preventive approach. The Ministry of Health claims that it will publicly communicate any potential problems only when they materialize, currently relying on monitoring and early intervention to avoid major discontinuities.