ROME. There are shortages of some antibiotics linked to the increase in strep cases, particularly among children despite schools being closed. But equivalent drugs are available to meet demand, pharmacists reassure. And Europe has already advised in the past to deal with galenic formulations, alternatives prepared in pharmacies.
The issue is now at the center of attention in some regions such as Emilia Romagna and Lombardy, but also in the European context.
In Como, as reported by the local press, in pharmacies there are cases in which antibiotics are also dispensed in bulk form to optimize limited availability. The doctor must communicate the dosage and duration and the pharmacist gives the patient the exact quantity.
The most recent case of deficiency is that of amoxicillin, which is of particular concern: it represents the antibiotic of choice for streptococcus and, therefore, a first choice drug for pediatric age. A shortage, that of amoxicillin, which has worsened in recent weeks, thanks to the explosion of cases of streptococcus and scarlet fever among children.
The Regional Health Councilor Raffaele Donini spoke about it in the Regional Council just a few days ago, ensuring his commitment to tackling the problem, also trying to reduce waste.
But regarding the supply of antibiotics against streptococci, the national secretary of Federfarma Roberto Tobia recalls that «the equivalent drug has the same characteristicsand pharmacological and therapeutic aspects of the branded drug and complies with the three fundamental requirements necessary for every drug to obtain marketing authorization: quality, safety and efficacy”. «All the equivalents available on the market – continues Tobia – have been authorized by AIFA and are as effective as branded drugs because they contain the same active ingredient in the same quantity; they are also the same in terms of number of dosage units, pharmaceutical form and route of administration”.
