Some health centers ran out of antibiotics, even though the clinics were full of patients with symptoms of respiratory infections in the previous days.
Several health centers told "Vijesta" that they do not have the antibiotic Lendacin (Longacef), which is why they send patients to pharmacies to buy the medicine themselves, while stocks in other institutions are running low.
From "Montefarm", which supplies 18 health centers, all general hospitals and the Clinical Center with these drugs, they claim that they expect to replenish the stock at the end of this month.
"In the period from January 1 to February 23 this year, 60.080 ampoules of Ceftriaxone and Lendacin (Longacef) were delivered from our warehouse. Compared to the year 2022, the current consumption trend of these two drugs has recorded an increase of 20 percent", said Montefarma and emphasized that at the beginning of last year there was a high degree of transmission of the coronavirus, where therapy with these antibiotics was often used in the treatment of patients with more severe form of covid-19.
Antibiotic shortages were also noted in the Podgorica Health Center, and "Montefarm" replied that from the beginning of this year until the day before yesterday, they delivered 11.250 ampoules of the antibiotics Ceftriaxon and Lendacin (Longacef) to that institution.
"Montefarm" told "Vijesta" that the manufacturer of the medicine Ceftriacon informed that institution on February 8 that they can expect the supply to be replenished only at the end of this month.
"On the same day, our institution informed all public health institutions about the supplier's announcement, in order to rationally allocate the stocks of the mentioned drug that they have until the receipt of new quantities," the answer reads.
"Montefarm" also said that in the meantime they contacted another supplier for Lendacin ampoules and received a reply that they had small quantities in stock, which were later delivered and distributed to all public health institutions whose supplies were at a minimum. They claim that they have also informed hospitals and health centers about this.
"The latest announcement from the supplier is that they will deliver 65.000 ampoules of this antibiotic to the Montefarma warehouse on Tuesday," the reply states.
Medicines containing the substance ceftriaxone belong to reserve antibiotics, and the price of a package of this medicine is around ten euros. These antibiotics, according to the list of medicines, are given in hospital conditions, and exceptionally at the primary level of health care, i.e. in health centers, as a continuation of therapy.
"Montefarm" also reminded that the patient, if he is still forced to buy Ceftriacon or Lendacin due to a current shortage in one of the public health institutions, can reimburse the costs from the Health Insurance Fund (FZO).
Health centers have confirmed to "Vijesta" that during this month the number of patients with symptoms of respiratory infections has increased, as well as that covid-19 and seasonal flu are intertwined, which cause similar symptoms - body temperature up to 39 degrees Celsius, chest pain, cough... They said that patients, if they have a complication in the form of a bacterial infection and high CRP, include penicillin injections, while Longacef, which is currently in short supply, is given to patients with pneumonia, while patients with mild symptoms are treated symptomatically...fund for healthy
What is required for reimbursement of expenses
Citizens who had to buy missing antibiotics or some other drug due to shortages have the right to reimbursement.
According to information from the Health Insurance Fund (FZO), patients submit a request for reimbursement of expenses with the necessary documentation to the regional branch of that institution. This includes a copy of the medical documentation that proves that the prescription of the drug was proposed (report of the selected doctor, specialist, council, discharge list, etc.), prescription, i.e. order for injections, receipt for the purchase of the drug with a fiscal block, confirmation of the health institution where it was the patient received the drug if it was not available during the purchase period, when it comes to ampoule therapy that is applied in the health center.
Among the required documentation is a confirmation from "Montefarm" that the drug was not available in pharmacies at the time of purchase, while for therapy that is applied in a hospital, a confirmation from the hospital pharmacy is necessary that the therapy was not available during that period.
The co-payment for the drug is still EUR 0,36
"Montefarm" also replied to "Vijesta" that the participation price in their state pharmacies has not changed for more than a decade and is still 0,36 euros.
Several patients who had picked up prescription therapy in pharmacies in the previous days claimed that they were paying more money to pharmacies than in previous months. This happened because, in the meantime, the list of medicines was changed, so some medicines are now on the supplementary list.
Among these drugs is Brompazepam of 1,5 milligrams and Lexilium of 3 mg, which are now paid extra for around 0,10 euros.
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