Doctors appeal on citizens not to stockpile medicines, say there are no shortages in pharmacies

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Professor Dr. Sanja Radojevic Skodric and Professor Dr. Radan Stojanovic have appealed on citizens not to stockpile medicines, because there is no need for that. As Radojevic Skodric said, a bigger problem in the procurement of medicines was happening during the Covid pandemic.

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"We had a bigger problem procuring medicines during Covid than in this current situation. We learned a lesson from that by additionally activating domestic production of antibiotics, heparin and anesthetics, which are the most important in intensive care units. It's important that we have alternative markets such as China and the Emirates at our disposal, so we don't depend on imports only from Europe and the US. We have stocks of medicines sufficient for a period of three to six months, depending on their shelf life. Precisely because of the expiration date, it is impossible to have unlimited supplies. But we monitor them all the time, as well as the suppliers' stocks. We also monitor that there are enough quantities in free sale in pharmacies and that they are evenly distributed," Radojevic Skodric told K1.

She also stressed that people are wasting money by hoarding drugs.

"Besides, those who really need medicines will not be able to get them because others keep them stockpiled at home," the director of the state health insurance fund, RFZO, pointed out.

Dr. Radan Stojanovic agreed with this, and added that people are afraid.

"People behave irrationally because of bad experiences during the 1990s. Also, because they are actors on the political scene from the 1990s. But, officials say that there is no reason for fear and I believe that we have learned the lessons and that there is enough of everything," Dr. Stojanovic stressed.

"We must act rationally. We can't stock up on drugs, because drugs have an expiration date. Do not accumulate drugs. You should have supplies for your monthly therapy, for example people who suffer from hypertension."

(Telegraf.rs)