In relation to the recent news in the media regarding the lack of oxygen in some areas of the national territory and, more generally, on the supply of medical oxygen to hospitals and patients served at home, AIFA, Assogastecnici and Federfarma wish to share some updates on this relevant issue.
Medicinal oxygen, as is known, is an essential drug in the treatment protocols for both patients affected by SARS-CoV-2, to cope with severe respiratory insufficiencies caused by the virus, and patients with other diseases.
As regards the production of medicinal oxygen in Italy, it is first of all necessary to highlight how this is currently produced in a very large number of pharmaceutical workshops (both primary production, i.e. raw material, and secondary, cryogenic cylinders and containers / base units) at a national level, and therefore by a production network capable of guaranteeing a significant availability of oxygen, together with constant and widespread distribution.
At present, although the SARS-CoV-2 virus emergency has resulted in a significant increase in oxygen demand, there is no risk of drug deficiency.
The companies in the sector, thanks to the enormous commitment of the staff and considerable investments in production and distribution, have constantly ensured the supply of medicinal liquid oxygen in tanks, as well as in cylinders and base units suitably sanitized to hospitals and patients at home.
AIFA, through the offices most directly involved in the emergency phase, has for its part supported this effort by implementing some regulatory derogations in the sector which, in compliance with the quality and safety requirements, have made it possible to guarantee the continuity of production activities.
Therefore, in confirming the absence of problems related to the availability of medicinal oxygen, however, it should be noted that, in the most critical phases of the emergency, the increase in oxygen demand is accompanied by an exponential increase in the demand for medical devices such as cylinders and cryogenic containers, in particular in the areas most affected by the epidemic, and how the availability of these devices is currently a potential criticality, considering that it is neither possible nor foreseeable to significantly increase their availability in the short time required by the pandemic.
The inaccurate news reported by the media in terms of "oxygen shortage" or "shortage of cylinders" contributes negatively to the current situation, as many users may not return the containers they are in possession of for fear of losing their availability in case of need.
It is therefore of fundamental importance, in this emergency state, that the containers for oxygen are returned to the pharmacy as soon as they are emptied, to make the cylinders immediately available for filling and subsequent use.
Although already during the first phase of the emergency, solutions have been implemented that can at least partially solve the problem of cylinder availability through the installation of covid hospitals and field hospitals - a significant example is that of the Cremona which, in the field hospital, guaranteed the delivery of therapy with oxygen served thanks to a liquid oxygen tank and the setting up by the supplier of a centralized distribution system - it is good to remember how in some situations however, the possibility of having containers such as cylinders and cryogenic containers is essential to guarantee treatments.
Federfarma confirms the utmost commitment on the part of Italian pharmacies to guarantee the sanitation and ready availability of the cylinders to be returned: for this reason, following the meeting, the federation has already launched an awareness campaign through pharmacies, aimed at promoting the return of cylinders and unused containers
The possibility of avoiding the occurrence of situations that aggravate the current emergency situation is therefore linked to the sense of responsibility of each of us: the delivery to pharmacies of unused cylinders, which once sanitized can be destined for the treatment of other patients, is a duty from which no one at this moment can exempt himself. Collaboration is now more essential than ever.
AIFA, Assogastecnici and Federfarma once again confirm their constant commitment, which in this emergency phase will be strengthened through regular operational meetings, to identify and support every solution that guarantees all citizens access to the necessary care.