The Ombudsman, while appreciating the publication of Poland's first National List of Critical Medicines, once again urges the Health Ministry to add to it. He points to the need to add key cardiovascular and endocrinology drugs, the absence of which could significantly affect patients' health and the burden on the health care system.
Drug safety: RPO asks to update list with key cardiovascular and endocrine drugs
Published Feb. 10, 2025 09:11
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The Ministry of Health has published Poland's first National List of Critical Medicines, covering 301 active substances. It is a response to the growing challenges of ensuring drug safety and preventing shortages of critical medicines. The list, which follows the guidelines of the European Commission and the European Medicines Agency, takes into account substances used to treat serious conditions for which a lack of substitutes can lead to serious health consequences.
The Ombudsman welcomed the publication of the list, but stresses that the list needs further updating. The Ombudsman has received signals indicating the need to add several important endocrinology drugs, such as:
- lanreotid,
- octreotide,
- testosterone,
- desmopressin,
- cinacalcet,
- alfacalcidol or calcitriol,
- bromocriptine and cabergoline.
In the area of cardiology, according to the medical authority, attention should be paid to the cytoprotective drug ranolazine, whose role in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases is growing rapidly.
The RPO has asked the Health Minister for her position on the issue.
Source: RPO
