In October, Infarmed banned the export of 39 medicines, including drugs for breast and ovarian cancer, as well as for Alzheimer’s, autoimmune diseases, flu, hepatitis A, and cholera vaccines. 

The list released by the National Medicines and Health Products Authority (INFARMED), which contains one less drug than in September, also includes antipsychotics and medicines used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autoimmune diseases, tuberculosis and cholesterol, antipsychotics, antibiotics, antidiuretics and contraceptives.

This list of medicines whose export is temporarily suspended is defined every month and includes the drugs in breach in the previous month whose impact on public health has been considered medium or high, as well as others being supplied under an Exceptional Use Authorisation (EUA).

The suspension of exports is intended to ensure supply to the national market and applies to all those involved in the circuit, including manufacturers.

Infarmed monitors information on shortages, shortages and ceases to trade on a daily basis in order to identify and avoid critical situations that could affect the availability of medicines.

The national medicines authority is part of the European network of contact points for national competent authorities, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the European Commission, which, since April 2019, has been used to share information on supply disruptions and availability issues for medicines authorised in the European Union.