A regulatory perspective on the availability of medicines and medicine shortages in outpatient care: case Finland

Abstract

The good availability of medicines and medicine shortages have become global issues during recent years. Medicine shortages are often affected by universal determinants, but the availability of medicines is also depending on national characteristics. This commentary aims to discuss the issue of the availability of medicines and medicine shortages in outpatient care in Finland, taking in consideration both national characteristics and global determinants that effect on the availability of medicines in other countries but Finland also. In this commentary, a regulatory approach is applied.