Why Can’t Every Medicine Be Found in Pharmacies Recently?

Although various solutions are tried to be brought by the ministry to solve this supply problem, according to pharmacists, these are only temporarily will provide relief.

We get your opinions on the subject. Pharmacist Ozge Ekmen Dutlulu, He told Webtekno what he was wondering. Judging by the details, we will continue to be unable to find drugs on pharmacy shelves.

What is the current situation in drug supply, why do we have such a problem?

“Unfortunately, the problem in drug supply continues despite the exchange rate update made in December, that is, the 37.66% drug increase. Undoubtedly, the main reason for this is the current situation we are in. is an economic crisis. The inaccuracy of the method used in determining the price of the drug in the drug price decree re-emerged as a drug crisis in this economic crisis environment. Despite the three drug hikes made during the year, the euro-valued exchange rate determined by the ministry has barely reached 10.75 Turkish Liras, and is still far behind the real exchange rate level. Increasing pharmaceutical and packaging costs, inadequacy of raw materials and logistical problems caused by the global crisis have further deepened the crisis.

Specifically, which drugs are not available? What problems do people who use regular medication experience during this period?

“Currently, drugs in Turkey are around 40-50% cheaper than even the cheapest country in Europe. This makes Turkey more affordable for imported pharmaceutical companies. a ‘snowy’ market It creates a big problem especially in the supply of imported drugs. In local medicines, due to the increasing packaging costs, access problems are experienced especially in children’s medicines (fever reducers, painkillers, antibiotics, cough syrups, etc.) stored in bottles. Currently on the market unfortunately One out of every four drugs is absent. Although all patient groups face serious obstacles in accessing drugs, unfortunately, the victimization of patients who use drugs regularly is much higher. Unfortunately, in diseases such as blood pressure, diabetes and cancer, where regular drug use is of much more vital importance, the drug crisis is at a level that will hinder the treatment. This shows us how the difficulties in accessing drugs have turned into a major public health problem.”

We have seen that doctors frequently confront patients for reasons beyond their control, is this the case for pharmacists as well?

“Although it is much less covered in the press, we pharmacists also come face to face with patients, especially during our shifts. We have serious security problems. I think that the most current reason for this is the feeling of helplessness created by the difficulties experienced by patients in accessing drugs and the increase in the numbers paid to pharmacies due to increasing drug prices. Unfortunately, at the moment, the patient cannot take one of the four drugs due to increasing costs.”

“In this period of economic crisis, at least by the relevant ministry, with the reduction of patient participation rates and patient examination fee amounts, even a little bit I believe that it can be an economic support to the patients.”

An update was made to the drug rate. How has this affected both pharmacists and pharmaceutical stocks?

“The exchange rate update, which is made once a year under normal conditions, was made three times in 2022 in order to eliminate the increase in the exchange rate due to the economic crisis and the problems in the supply of medicines that developed accordingly. Despite these three hikes, the exchange rate could only reach 10.75 TL. Currently, the euro value is around 20 TL. It is obvious that this exchange rate update will not be enough to eliminate the shortage of medicines. Unfortunately, the increase is far from being a realistic solution, since the access of the patient to the medicine will become more difficult for economic reasons with each new increase. with rational economic policies. I believe it can be managed.”

What do you think about the fact that there are too many purchases from abroad, since drug prices are cheaper in Turkey with the exchange rate difference?

“Yes, as I just mentioned, drugs in Turkey are around 40-50% cheaper than even the cheapest country in Europe. There is a serious drug outflow abroad. But I don’t think this situation is a departure that will deepen the drug crisis.”

There is also the issue of SMA. His medicine is also very expensive, and in recent years, we see families looking for a cure through various campaigns.

“There are three different approved drugs used in the treatment of SMA. Zolgensma is one of them. With a price of 2.1 million dollars, it is the most expensive drug produced in history. It is an advanced gene therapy method that is administered by intravenous injection at one time, which enables the replacement of a gene that does not work through a virus with a working one. Time is of the essence for patients, as treatment cannot reverse the damage caused by the disease before the use of the drug. Unfortunately, due to the rising exchange rate, it is getting more and more difficult to collect this money with donations. In the face of a disease with a definite cure, only for financial reasons. loss of a child It is a very difficult situation for his family to accept. For this reason, it is necessary to include the drug in the reimbursement system as soon as possible with the understanding of the social state. As far as I know, the relevant ministry is in talks with the company in this context. I hope it will result in a positive way as soon as possible and no more of our children will be sacrificed to this bad disease.”

Finally, where should we look for the solution, what should be done?

“Even if the gap between the euro rate used to determine the drug price and the current rate is closed, As long as the Turkish lira continues to depreciate It would be delusional to expect an improvement in the drug crisis. In other words, the most basic solution lies in rational economic policies. In addition, it is very important to support the domestic industry in order to prevent foreign dependency in the pharmaceutical industry. In the long term, it is important to support universities in terms of creating more resources and autonomy for research in pharmacy faculties. In this way, we can protect ourselves, perhaps a little, from global economic crises.”

Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions. To Pharmacist Özge Ekmen Dutlulu and the whole team of Hürriyet Pharmacy.