Most pharmacies currently only have zero to two weeks’ supply
Inhalation medication salbutamol aerosol* is currently limited or not available in the Netherlands. Most pharmacies currently only have zero to two weeks’ supply. This can cause acute problems for the 550,000 lung patients** who rely on this. Especially for the 85,000 children** up to 6 years old who are still too young to use alternative inhalers (such as dry powder inhalers that require a lot of inhalation force). The Lung Alliance Netherlands (LAN), which unites all parties involved in lung care in our country, has therefore drawn up recommendations and an alternative schedule, in consultation with general practitioners, pediatricians, pulmonologists, pharmacists and patient organizations. This schedule is available to everyone. The alternative schedule will be updated if necessary in the near future, as shortages may vary from day to day. The schedule can be found here.
The LAN board is in contact with the government and health insurers about this shortage and structural solutions to prevent this problem in the future.
*This concerns: salbutamol aerosol, Ventolin aerosol, Airomir aerosol, Redihaler, Ventolin nebules/solution/injection and salbutamol nebulizer. In addition to salbutamol, many other inhaled medications, such as ipratropium aerosol, are not available or are only available to a limited extent.
**Source: Foundation for Pharmaceutical Characteristics (SFK) www.sfk.nl
Source: Long Alliance Netherlands
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