The number of persistent prescription drug shortages in the last quarter of 2025 increased slightly compared to the previous period, but remained significantly lower than the all-time high reached in 2024. Drug shortages represent a long-term problem that negatively affects the effective and safe treatment of patients. In the European Union, critical shortages of medicines have become a frequent threat to public health. In Slovakia, there have recently been shortages of important drugs used in the treatment of chronic intestinal diseases, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. State authorities are looking for solutions, including the possibility of importing registered medicines from other EU member states. The European Union has approved a pharmaceutical market reform that introduces shortage prevention plans for key medicines and strengthens measures to ensure stable access to critical medicines.