In Europe, the last production line of Metamizole painkillers will stop production in Germany next year, leaving German patients with no choice but to use similar painkillers produced in China. This situation has put Germany in a precarious position of complete dependence on China, prompting warnings from politicians about the “alarming” implications.
According to a report by the German magazine “Der Spiegel,” Euroapi, a major European pharmaceutical raw materials giant located in Frankfurt-Höchst, will cease production of painkillers containing Metamizole by the end of 2025, marking the only production line of its kind in Europe.
The current situation indicates that once the Metamizole production line in Frankfurt stops, it will be permanently shut down with little to no possibility of resuming production. This means that in the future, Germany will have to rely entirely on imports from China for such medications.
The German market reportedly requires 1,100 tons of Metamizole raw materials, the majority of which is already imported from China. Local manufacturers in Germany cannot compete with the prices offered by Chinese companies. Even the remaining European pharmaceutical raw materials giant charges 15 cents more per package compared to similar Chinese products, as reported by “Daily Mirror.”
Bork Bretthauer, the chief lobbyist of the German pharmaceutical industry, expressed concern that Germany is now dangerously dependent on China. In the event of a trade war between China and Europe, the consequences would be unimaginable, he warned.
Tino Sorge, the health spokesperson for the CDU in the federal parliament, described the news of the Metamizole production line closure as “alarming.” He emphasized that the German government must take decisive countermeasures.
Metamizole is a widely used antipyretic and analgesic medication primarily used for pain relief and reducing fever. It comes in tablet form, drops, infusions, or suppositories. Since its introduction in the 1920s, Metamizole has been popular due to its fast-acting effects and low cost. Since 1987, it has been a prescription drug in Germany and is now the second top-selling prescription pain reliever in the country.
However, serious side effects have been associated with Metamizole, with long-term use potentially leading to fatalities. Starting in the 1960s, countries like Australia, the Philippines, and Japan began banning the drug. The U.S. phased out Metamizole starting in 1977. Currently, nearly 30 countries have restrictions or bans on Metamizole, limiting its use to animals only.
A case reported by the German “Medical Journal” last year highlighted severe side effects of Metamizole: a 37-year-old man developed a serious syndrome after taking Metamizole for back pain, requiring surgery. Two weeks later, the previously healthy man could only walk with the help of a walker and needed further rehabilitation after discharge from the hospital.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is currently evaluating and reviewing Metamizole medications, but the timing of completion of the investigation and the possibility of issuing a prohibition are still unknown.