The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has set up the European Medicines Shortage Monitoring Platform (ESMP) with the aim of improving the exchange of information and preventing, identifying and managing shortages across the EU/EEA.
The platform aims to ensure the continued availability of medicines during public health crises and major events.

Based on data entry from national competent authorities (NCAs) and Marketing authorisation holders (MAHs), the platform makes it easier to monitor supply, demand and availability of medicines. Monitoring is carried out depending on the scenario:

• NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES: routine reporting of shortages
• MSSG-LED PREPAREDNESS: close monitoring of a subset of medicinal products upon request from the executive steering group on shortages and safety of medicinal products
• CRISIS: reporting on supply, demand and availability of medicinal products in based on the list of critical medicines during a public health emergency or major event

It is the MAHs responsibility to regularly report shortages of medicines through the ESMP. NCAs provide data on the availability and demand of medicines in crisis situations, and when MSSG requires reporting.

The ESMP aims to establish effective cooperation between the EMA, national authorities and the pharmaceutical industry in monitoring of supply and demand of medicines. This improves preparedness for shortages of medicines and ensures constant availability to the patients.