# Romania medication accessibility and supply shortages

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/romanian-medication-accessibility-and-supply-shortages
> Updated: 2026-08-26T08:00:39.000Z. Sources: 21. Developments: 3.

In Romania, patient associations have issued an open letter to interim Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan regarding the accessibility of medications. The associations are responding to government suggestions to prioritize generic or biosimilar drugs over expensive innovative therapies to manage costs. They cautioned that focusing solely on cost comparisons without clinical analysis could be dangerous, noting that “a medication accessible only on paper treats no one.”

Supply discontinuities have been confirmed for cardiovascular treatments, such as metoprolol, carvedilol, and captopril, as well as oncology drugs like imatinib. Shortages also affect neurological, psychiatric, diabetes, and Parkinson’s disease medications, including pregabalin, atomoxetine, and valproic acid. The College of Pharmacists Prahova noted that while some disruptions are temporary, supply for certain products may not resume until between September and December 2026.

Following reports from the Federation of Cancer Patient Associations (FABC) that three oncology drugs are missing from the market and eight others face repeated discontinuities, interim Health Minister Cseke Attila ordered an emergency audit. This audit will examine the National Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices (ANMDMR), the National Oncology Program, and hospital supply structures. The Minister emphasized the need for a digital system to track drug traceability and stock levels in real-time.

The Romanian College of Physicians (CMR) warned that treatment delays can compromise therapeutic objectives, stating patients should not be forced to seek their own solutions. While the President of the National Health Insurance House (CNAS) stated there is no general crisis and that cytostatic stocks remain stable, he acknowledged that EU production deficiencies can cause localized shortages.

## Claims

- Three oncological medicines are currently missing in Romania, while eight others face repeated and long-term supply discontinuities. (disputed by 6 sources)
- The President of the National Health Insurance House (CNAS), Horațiu Moldovan, stated that there is no crisis regarding cytostatic medicines and that stocks are generally regular. (disputed by 3 sources)
- Interim Health Minister Cseke Attila has ordered an urgent audit of the medicine monitoring and oversight mechanism, including the National Oncology Programme. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- The Romanian College of Physicians (CMR) emphasized that patient access to treatment must be predictable and continuous, warning that delays can compromise therapeutic objectives. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Interim Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan noted that supply issues for certain niche imported treatments may occur but should be resolved quickly. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-26: Romania audits medicine monitoring after oncology drug shortage claims

Romanian health officials are auditing medicine monitoring systems following claims by cancer patient associations that several oncological drugs are missing or facing supply discontinuities.

16 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/romania-debates-cass-health-contributions-for-pensioners

### 2026-08-24: Romania faces shortages of critical cardiovascular and oncology medications

Patients in Romania face shortages of critical medications for cardiovascular, neurological, and oncological conditions, with some supplies not expected to stabilize until late 2026.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/romania-faces-shortages-of-critical-cardiovascular-and-oncology-medications

### 2026-08-20: Patient associations warn Romanian PM over drug accessibility

Romanian patient associations warned interim PM Ilie Bolojan that prioritizing generic drugs over innovative therapies without clinical analysis risks patient safety and treatment continuity.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/patient-associations-warn-romanian-pm-over-drug-accessibility

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Cite as: Romania medication accessibility and supply shortages. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/romanian-medication-accessibility-and-supply-shortages