The Norwegian Medicines Agency fears a lack of medicine in Norway following the outbreak of the Wuhan virus
If the Wuhan virus spreads to Norway, the Norwegian Medicines Agency (Legemiddelverket) fears that there may be a lack of antibiotics and anesthetics.
Authorities are concerned that China may halt exports of drugs such as broad-spectrum antibiotics and HIV drugs because they need them themselves, writes NRK.
The Norwegian Medicines Agency also fears that drug production may be affected in China as a result of factories being closed due to sick workers.
“Then there will be a global shortage that will affect the entire western world. Then we can get a lack of antibiotics, anesthetics and medicines we need in intensive care. This can cause major problems,” says Steinar Madsen, director of the Norwegian Medicines Agency.
This week, the Directorate of Health, the Norwegian Medicines Agency and experts on infectious diseases have discussed how the situation should be handled if the virus spreads to Norway.
To date, at least 259 people – all in China – have lost their lives after being infected by the virus. 11,800 people have been infected. Outside China, around 100 cases of infection have been recorded in some 20 countries, but no deaths.
© NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today
