PHOTO
Containers of pills and prescription drugs are boxed for disposal during the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) 20th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day at Watts Healthcare on April 24, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. - According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the US has seen an increase in drug overdose deaths during the Covid-19 pandemic, accelerating significantly during the first months of the public health emergency, including deaths from opioids and counterfeit pills containing fentanyl. Image used for illustrative purpose.
The European Commission wants pharmaceutical companies to devise plans to prevent medicine shortages, a problem affecting the entire EU, under a reform proposal unveiled Wednesday.
Brussels is also looking to have a list of critical drugs drawn up that can be used to require manufacturers to build up sufficient stocks.