There is a risk of shortages either way, Alain de Bourcy told RTL, with the possibility of manufacturers getting their estimates wrong for medication production.
At present, de Bourcy said the situation was not problematic, mainly due to poor weather affecting Luxembourg’s pollen count. The demand for antihistamines has been suitably low as a result. If, however, the pollen count increases in better weather, there could be a run on antihistamines, with many people purchasing the medication at once, which could affect pharmacies’ stock.
In de Bourcy’s own pharmacy, staff recently experienced a shortage of the “Aerius” medication, often prescribed for pollen allergies, with the medication out of stock for ten days. Patients were offered unbranded medication with the same active substance as alternatives.
De Bourcy said he would advise allergy sufferers to stock up before the weather improves, if they do not currently have medication at home.
When asked if the previous situation with medicine shortages, such as cough syrup or children’s antibiotics, had since improved, de Bourcy said it had in fact gotten worse.
There is now a restriction on liquid antibiotics, or drops, for example with the drug “Tobrex”, used for eye inflammation.
