Medical product shortages have repeatedly made headlines recently – and there have also been shortages of saline solutions. In North Rhine-Westphalia, and also in Bavaria, clinics reported in early October that supplies of medicines and medical equipment containing sodium chloride were limited.

Gerlach: Import when there is a bottleneck

Supply shortages can now be overcome by importing saline solutions that are not approved in Germany. Once the Federal Ministry of Health officially confirms the shortage, states can take action against it by making additional purchases abroad and also importing products that are not actually permitted for use in the country.

“Imports must now be made easier quickly through exemptions. We are confident that we will be able to overcome these obstacles effectively,” said Bavarian Health Minister Judith Gerlach (CSU).

Information leaflets are not in German

At the same time, he called on the federal government to take comprehensive steps to address bottlenecks in the supply of medicines. The saline solutions that will now be imported will not differ in content from those available here. For example, saline solutions can be imported whose packaging inserts are not written in German and therefore are not permitted here, he said.

“With regard to the salt solution, today we ask the responsible governments of Upper Bavaria and Upper Franconia to immediately issue the necessary general orders,” Gerlach said. This means that drugs approved in other countries can be purchased. This approach was proven successful earlier this year with drugs containing salbutamol, which are used for example to treat asthma and chronic lung disease. Saline solutions are needed, for example for infusions or for administering medication.

There is also a shortage of antibiotics

There are also supply bottlenecks for antibiotics and anti-diabetics. “Medicine shortages also occur in other areas, such as antibiotics and anti-diabetes. “The actions taken by the federal government so far have been too hesitant,” Gerlach said.

With information from dpa

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