BAG wants to stem the bottleneck
Pharmacies are allowed to produce painkillers for children themselves
Fever-reducing syrups, best for children, are in short supply. The Federal Office of Public Health (BAG) is now allowing pharmacies to produce them themselves. The BAG also clarifies the question of assumption of costs.
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Switzerland is currently hit by a virus wave.
Switzerland is being hit by a wave of a wide variety of viruses this winter: corona, influenza and rhinoviruses. Even children are not immune to this, many a little one lies in bed with a fever. He doesn’t swallow pills yet, the only solution is a syrup. However, because the demand for fever-reducing syrups is high at this time of year, medicines are in short supply. Around 900 packs are missing in Swiss pharmacies. Funds are also scarce in Germany.
The Federal Office of Public Health (BAG) has now taken measures to contain the bottleneck. Pharmacies can make their own antipyretic syrups such as Algifor or Nurofen. The costs for this must be covered by the health insurance companies.
“Belated Christmas present”
The Pharmasuisse Association of Pharmacists is pleased with the decision. Now there would be no more discussions about which cash register pays for what. “For me it’s like a late Christmas present for the children,” Enea Martinelli (57), Vice President of Pharmasuisse, told SRF News.
The only problem: Making a syrup from antipyretic tablets is time-consuming. You have to dissolve the active ingredient ibuprofen from a tablet, sieve it and dilute it. With all the missing medicines, it is a time-consuming job for the pharmacies. (lui)