Bottleneck is getting worse: replenishment problems for 1,300 medications

So admit it Diabetes medication delivery difficulties as well as restrictions due to weekly quotas from many manufacturers. Also antibiotic eye drops “We continue to have numerous failures,” it said.

The Vienna Medical Association also criticized this in its own publication Lack of the shingles vaccine. The Ministry of Health reassures.

The situation with psychotropic drugs remains “under observation,” Phago said in a release. On the other hand, fortunately, all strengths of the active ingredient bupropion, which is prescribed to treat depression and to quit smoking, are currently in stock at full wholesalers. “The supply of pharmaceuticals is largely visible at the full wholesale level. Our task is to classify developments at an early stage and act based on facts,” explained Phago board member Bernd Grabner.

No shingles vaccine

Since November 1, 2025, the vaccination against shingles (herpes zoster) has been free for people aged 60 and over and other risk groups. But the vaccine “is again not available,” emphasized the Vienna Medical Association in its own release. “The free vaccination against herpes zoster sounds nice and makes sense, but in practice the promise does not keep,” criticized the Chamber Vice President Naghme Kamaleyan-Schmied.

It is particularly problematic that the vaccination against herpes zoster requires two doses two to six months apart. “Many patients have so far only received the first partial vaccination. It is uncertain whether the second dose will be available in time,” explained Kamaleyan-Schmied.

Ministry reassured

“Vaccines are ordered on the international market. They are not continuously produced in Austria, but are manufactured in limited quantities worldwide and delivered gradually,” emphasized the Ministry of Health in a statement to the APA. “We are very pleased about the great interest in the free vaccinations. It shows that prevention is taken seriously and that there is trust in the public vaccination program. What is important is that no one has to worry about being left empty-handed. The vaccination program runs until 2028, all vaccines are available free of charge until then and are constantly being supplied.”

Around 400,000 doses of the shingles vaccination have been made available so far. At least another 200,000 doses have already been planned. The next larger delivery will be made available at the beginning of May at the latest.

Regarding the reports from industry representatives about supply problems for medicines, the ministry said it was important to differentiate: “If a certain product is not available, that does not automatically mean that the active ingredient is missing.” Sometimes there are delivery delays for individual brands or manufacturers – for example for production or logistics reasons. This affects certain packs, but not the entire therapy. In these cases, alternatives from other manufacturers with the same active ingredients are available. “Nobody has to worry: medical care and necessary therapies are still guaranteed.”

One in three people get shingles

In Austria, around 30,000 to 40,000 cases of shingles occur every year, according to the Medical Association. Around one in three people will develop it in their lifetime. The disease manifests itself as a one-sided, painful skin rash with fluid-filled blisters and, in severe cases, can affect the eyes, ears or face – with possible consequences such as visual or hearing impairments and facial paralysis. That’s why it’s so important to vaccinate people over 60 and high-risk patients.