Czech health ministry secures emergency shipment of 1,000 tamoxifen packages

After a year‑long shortage of tamoxifen, the drug used to treat breast cancer, the Czech Ministry of Health announced an emergency delivery of 1,000 packages. The shortage began when the manufacturer halted supplies in 2023 and a replacement has not been available since June. To prevent hoarding, the ministry imposed limits on prescriptions, stating “It is necessary to ensure patients do not stock‑pile and create secondary unavailability.” Patients can verify availability at nearby pharmacies via the ePrescription app.

The ministry confirmed that each package should last at least 30 days and that the goal is to reach as many of the roughly 7,900 women diagnosed with breast cancer annually as possible. Oncologists have been advised that a temporary interruption of treatment is not a serious problem if it does not exceed 14 days. The State Institute for Drug Control (SÚKL) and health insurers are coordinating daily to stabilise supplies.