Overview
- Regional pharmacy leaders report gaps in standard antibiotics, common and stronger painkillers, ADHD therapies, basic medicines for type‑1 diabetics, blood‑pressure drugs and cholesterol‑lowering agents.
- Pharmacists urge patients on long‑term treatments to request prescriptions one to two weeks earlier to allow time to locate stock.
- Supply risks are tied to heavy reliance on manufacturing outside Europe, particularly in China and India, where disruptions quickly affect German availability.
- Children’s medicines such as antibiotic syrups and some ADHD and asthma treatments are flagged as vulnerable this winter, while typical fever and cold remedies are currently sufficient.
- Authorities point to Germany’s 2023 shortage law and an EU draft from March 2025, as an industry leader warns a single breakdown could mean months‑long national supply gaps.