A report by the European Court of Auditors highlights critical shortages of 136 essential medicines in the EU, peaking in 2023 and 2024. 21 out of 27 member states reported these shortages, with Belgium, Spain, and France being the most affected. Factors contributing to the shortages include increased demand, manufacturing delays, and high production costs, leading to a reliance on Asia for pharmaceutical ingredients. Reporting practices vary across countries, complicating the situation. Teljes cikk (Euronews.com)