Due to long-term supply difficulties with this active substance and in order to renew stocks, it is reasonable to allow up to 490 packages of antibacterial eye drops to be released from the national strategic stockpile.
The eye drops are used to treat bacterial eye infections caused by microorganisms sensitive to fusidic acid, e.g. conjunctivitis, blepharitis, stye, keratitis, dacryocystitis, and also in connection with the removal of foreign objects from the eye.
The sale and supply of the medicinal product to general pharmacies will continue as usual, and patients will be able to purchase it with a valid prescription.
Once the supply difficulties have been resolved, the Estonian Stockpiling Agency is obliged to replenish its stock of the medicine at the earliest opportunity.
The national stockpile of pharmaceuticals has been used on several occasions since its establishment. In autumn 2023, a formulated product containing polystyrene sulfonate was approved for use for patients with kidney failure, and last summer, a medicine containing the active ingredient isosorbide mononitrate, which is necessary for 6,000 heart patients, was released. The recent release of eye drops containing fusidic acid was the third in a row.
The Estonian Stockpiling Agency started to stockpile pharmaceuticals in the autumn of 2022. Currently, the national pharmaceutical stockpile has about 200 of the most popular over-the-counter and prescription medicinal products sold in pharmacies to last a month.
The purpose of the stockpile of pharmaceutical products is to increase the security of supply and to mitigate risks associated with potential long-term supply disruptions. The continued availability of essential medicinal products at pharmacies allows patients to continue their treatment regimen and reduces the pressure on hospitals during a crisis, giving them time to rearrange their work and adapt to a potentially increasing work load.
