Finland's Ministry of Social Affairs and Health has activated emergency medication reserves for schizophrenia treatment. The decision took effect on November 1st and addresses potential shortages of olanzapine injections.
Health officials report production disruptions affecting supplies across Europe. The medication is used for long-term schizophrenia treatment in adult patients.
Pharmaceutical companies must restore mandatory reserve levels by April 30th, 2026. These reserves must contain at least three months' worth of average consumption.
The ministry directive specifies that available reserves should prioritize Finnish patients and healthcare facilities. This measure aims to secure medication availability during the ongoing supply chain issues.
Medical authorities expect normal supply levels to return by the second quarter of 2026. The extended timeline reflects the complexity of resolving production problems affecting multiple European countries.
Finland maintains mandatory medication reserves for essential drugs as part of its healthcare security system. The current situation demonstrates why such systems remain crucial for patient care during international supply disruptions.