Cuplaton shortage continues to impact parents across Finland as alternatives remain unavailable

Cuplaton, a medication used for treating digestive issues in infants, has been unavailable in pharmacies across Finland throughout the summer. Pharmaceutical company Orion attributes the shortage to disruptions in the supply chain of the active ingredient. According to pharmacy medicine search tools, the product is completely out of stock nationwide, and no equivalent alternatives are available.

Cuplaton is an over-the-counter medicine that alleviates gas discomfort by breaking down gas bubbles in the intestines, improving gas mobility and providing relief. Administered in drop form, it is also suitable for treating colic in babies, with the shortage specifically affecting these drops. Parents seeking the medication for their children have resorted to social media for assistance.

Pharmaceutical sources indicate that there are currently no substitute medications that are safe for infants. A previously used treatment for gas relief, Disflatyl, was removed from the market a few years ago. Pharmacy technician Anne Miettinen from Kuusankoski’s Ykkösapteekki has suggested trying probiotic formulations suitable for infants instead.

In response to the shortage, health clinics in the Kymenlaakso welfare area are aware of the situation and have received inquiries from parents about alternative remedies. They have recommended probiotic products, alongside advising non-pharmacological interventions like baby massage.

Orion’s communications team has stated that new shipments of Cuplaton should arrive in pharmacies by mid-next week, with updates indicating that the availability issue is anticipated to end by August 26, according to the Finnish Medicines Agency Fimea.