Norwegian resident voices concerns over medication shortages impacting patients’ lives

Inger Brokka de Ruiter, a 40-year-old resident of Norway, has voiced concerns over the lack of life-extending medications available in the country. Her worries intensified after her father, Bjørn Davidsen, 76, struggled to obtain necessary medication for his advanced prostate cancer. De Ruiter, who also has a son, Elias, 14, diagnosed with autism and severe intellectual disabilities, noted that finding medications for him has also become increasingly challenging.

She fears that the ongoing medication shortages could deteriorate health for many patients or even jeopardize lives. De Ruiter insists that Norway needs local pharmaceutical enterprises to produce medications, arguing that reliance on large foreign companies for drug accessibility is problematic. According to Norway’s Directorate for Medical Products, many shortages stem from pharmaceutical companies’ commercial priorities, alongside production and logistical challenges.

“In Norway, you shouldn’t have to worry about searching for life-sustaining medications,” de Ruiter stated. The situation is particularly troubling given that a recent survey indicated nearly 550,000 Norwegians have difficulties accessing their needed medicines.

Although de Ruiter’s father currently receives hormone treatment that maintains his health, he finds the medication access situation perplexing. De Ruiter articulated her anxiety for those in greater need, expressing concerns about the implications on individuals and society at large due to ongoing medication supply issues.

The Norwegian government acknowledges the medication shortages, stating efforts to address the problem both domestically and internationally. However, experts note that the root causes often lie beyond Norway’s borders, with global supply chains significantly affecting medication availability.