The study “Medicine shortages: international evidence and recommendations for Germany” informs about the extent of shortages, their causes and possible measures. The situation with regard to medicine shortages and actions taken to manage, reduce and prevent shortages in four European countries (Finland, Italy, the Netherlands and Sweden) was surveyed. In addition, the study analysed for medicines of seven active ingredients whether, or not, a shortage existed in these four countries and Germany as of January 2020. Overall, all the surveyed countries reported medicine shortages, however, to a different extent, and applied a range of measures to address them.
The study is available in German, with an executive summary in English.