GIRP – European Healthcare Distribution Association warns by the letter, that current geopolitical situation is triggering fuel shortages, price spikes, and emergency rationing measures across Europe. For sector of pharmaceutical wholesale, which is entirely dependent on fuel and energy to operate warehouses, temperature-controlled storage, and daily deliveries, such measures would have a direct and immediate impact on the ability to supply medicines.

Against this backdrop, GIRP calls on EU and national authorities to take urgent and targeted action:

• explicitly urge Member States to exempt pharmaceutical systemic wholesalers from any fuel or energy rationing measures, in light of  their status as critical infrastructure and as essential services for public health
• call on Member States to put in place financial support mechanisms to cover the extraordinary additional costs for fuel and energy.

The Association of Wholesale Distributors of Medicines (AVEL) agrees with the conclusions of the GIRP and has sent a letter to the Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic requesting the protection and stabilization of wholesale distribution of medicines in Slovakia.

GIRP_Open_Letter_Iran_Crisis.pdf