«Disaster for addicts»
Teenage thieves trigger methadone shortage
Swissmedic has withdrawn the license of the most important methadone manufacturer in Switzerland. The safety deficiencies were only noticed after a burglary by young people. Now 9,000 addicts are in danger of missing the important drug.
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Methadone patients could soon no longer be able to get their medication.
Months lie ahead for the 9,000 methadone patients in Switzerland – because their medication may soon no longer be available. The Swiss Society for Addiction Medicine (SSAM) warns of a shortage of high-dose tablets that are given to addicts.
Because the Swissmedic institute for therapeutic products has suspended the operating license and all drug approvals for the most important methadone producer for safety reasons.
A burglary started it all
The fact that the company, which is based in Aargau, lost its license to produce medicines, goes back to a burglary by seven young people in one of the company’s production facilities, as research by SRF shows. However, this happened in 2017 – and it was only discovered by chance: the young thieves then ran into the hands of a police patrol. Only then did the authorities become aware of possible safety deficiencies in the factory.
The case went to court and the company owner was convicted of violations of the Chemicals, Drugs and Narcotics Acts, according to SRF. Swissmedic then came to the conclusion that one could no longer place the necessary trust in the owner – he was no longer accepted as the so-called “responsible person”.
Simplified import required
The owner defended himself against it up to the federal court – unsuccessfully. At the end of November 2022, the complaints were ultimately dismissed. Since then, the company no longer has any valid medicinal product authorizations and is no longer allowed to carry out any activities related to medicinal products. The compulsory stock is also blocked.
This continues until the deficiencies that led to the suspension have been remedied and Swissmedic lifts the suspension again. Nobody knows how long that will take.
Thousands affected
Bad news for addicts. Because there is no Swiss company that can take over production at short notice. Addiction doctor Thilo Beck speaks on Radio SRF of a “catastrophe” and calls for a simplified import of methadone tablets from abroad.
Only: An import is very expensive, as Enea Martinelli (57), board member of the Association of Pharmacists, says: Each permit costs around 200 francs and applications can only be made individually.
According to Martinelli, the company concerned had produced not only methadone tablets but also a drug that is used for anesthesia during operations. In this case, the federal government found a solution in Germany. The only alternative with methadone, however, is to take the drug in liquid form or have it filled into capsules by pharmacies – which is also very time-consuming. (she/SDA)