For several weeks, Belgian pharmacies have been struggling with a critical shortage of certain types of medicines. According to information from the Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products (FAMHP), 279 medicines are currently officially unavailable to patients across the country. This list is only growing larger due to supply issues.
According to the agency, there are problems in the supply of certain treatments for type 2 diabetes. There is a complete shortage of Ozempic (semaglutide), which experts believe will now improve before January next year.
Due to increased global demand and insufficient supply, there is also a shortage of GLP-1 analogues, new drugs used to treat type 2 diabetes, typically administered by subcutaneous injection.
The supply of several painkillers and generic drugs has also dried up, including over-the-counter painkiller Perdolan Compositum, which will be out of stock nationally until 19 November.
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Certain laxatives, antihemorrhagic medications, cold remedies, acne treatments, eye drops, and other common pharmaceutical products are also unavailable.
A full list of unavailable medicines can be viewed on the FAMHP’s Pharmastatus website.
