World News for Students of English

29-09-2025 07:00

A new report from the European Court of Auditors reveals that medicine shortages in the European Union have reached record levels in recent years.

Between 2022 and October 2024, supplies of 136 critical medicines were insufficient, with 48 critical shortages in 2023 and 46 in 2024.

At least 21 of the 27 EU member states were affected, with Belgium, Spain, and France reporting the most serious problems. Amoxicillin, a common antibiotic, and verteporfin, used to treat eye conditions, were among the medicines in short supply. The causes include higher demand, production delays, limited manufacturing capacity, and increased energy costs. Production costs in the EU are estimated to be 20–40% higher than in Asia, leading to heavy reliance on Asian suppliers for raw ingredients and precursors.

The situation has significant consequences for patients and national health systems. Reporting rules and stockpiling requirements vary across countries, which makes it difficult to compare shortages or coordinate solutions at the EU level.

Difficult words: reliance (when you need something or someone and cannot manage well without it), precursor (a substance from which another is made), coordinate (to organize different parts of work together).

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