There is no shortage … for now. Currently there are no scarcity scarcity signs for the main drugs used during winter, including some antibiotics, however, the drug agency announced Monday, which guarantees the remaining guard after several difficult seasons.
Anticipate shortage
During the last two years, the agency launched a winter plan every year aimed at avoiding drug scarcity during this season systematically marked by the significant circulation of various diseases, whether they are bacterial infections, treatable by antibiotics, or viral, such as seasonal flu.
In the early 2020 it was marked by the shortage of certain treatments, including current antibiotics such as amoxicillin, especially in their versions destined for children.
The winter of 2024-2025 was relatively mild in this area, as the ANSM recalls, with an improvement with respect to amoxicillin. But another antibiotic, clarithromycin, has concentrated supply difficulties.
In view of the winter of 2025-2026, the ANSM made a point to determine if the tensions should be feared by the main winter drugs: they include not only antibiotics, but also medications for fever, as well as asthma treatments.
Be attentive
Consequently, “we do not provide specific instructions or early distribution measures at this stage,” said the ANSM.
However, the agency claims to maintain a “careful monitoring” of the situation.
This point also refers only to drugs used in front of the main winter diseases. Scarcity persists for many treatments, especially in psychiatry for several psychotropic drugs.
Source: BFM TV
