Compulsory stockpiles of antibiotic containing benzylpenicillin may temporarily fall below the amount required by law
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health has decided that the compulsory stockpiles of a narrowspectrum antibiotic containing benzylpenicillin may fall below the amount required by law on the grounds of supply disruptions. This decision applies to two medicinal products of different strengths that are administered to patients intramuscularly or intravenously by a healthcare professional.
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health issued the decision to ensure the sufficiency of these medicines in situations where there are challenges with availability. According to the decision, the compulsory stockpiles of importers obligated to maintain medicine stocks may fall below the amount that corresponds to ten months’ average consumption of the antibiotic in question. The compulsory stockpiles of healthcare units may fall below the amount corresponding to the average consumption for six months.
While the decision is in force, the medicinal products in question will only be released from the compulsory stockpiles for the use of healthcare to treat such infections that are best treated with narrow-spectrum antibiotics.
The Ministry’s decision is based on a proposal made by the Finnish Medicines Agency, and it will remain in force until supply disruptions have ended and the compulsory stockpiles of the said products correspond to the amount required by law. The volume of medicinal products in stockpiles must be at the level required by law no later than 31 January 2024.
The decision will enter into force on 15 June 2023 and expire on 31 January 2024 at the latest. It will be published in the collection of regulations of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health in the Finlex Data Bank.
Inquiries:
Elina Asola, Senior Specialist, tel. +358 295 163 437, [email protected]
Tuija Metsävainio, Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 295 163 449, [email protected]
Anne Hautala, Senior Specialist, tel. +358 295 163 703, [email protected]