Why Are Essential Emergency Medications for Children Disappearing from Hospitals?

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Pediatric emergency rooms are running short on essential injectable drugs.

There have been consecutive supply disruptions of critical injectable medications in pediatric emergency rooms and children's hospitals.

The supply of Ativan injections, used for pediatric seizure patients, has been halted. Production of Cortisolu, used for blood pressure control in newborns, is scheduled to stop from July 2026.

Although the government is searching for alternative production and resumption of supply, the main concern is the potential treatment gap that may arise in the meantime.

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Ativan is a primary first-line treatment for pediatric seizure patients.

When seizures are prolonged, the risk of brain damage increases, making rapid drug administration crucial.

Cortisolu is used for extremely premature infants or critically ill newborns and pediatric patients in shock.

This drug is needed when blood pressure cannot be stabilized by other measures.

Both medications are not just optional—they are essential drugs that can determine the course of treatment in emergency situations.

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Some hospitals have already run out of stock.

According to a survey by the Korean Association of Pediatric Hospitals, 12 out of 35 respondent hospitals reported that they have already run out of Ativan injections.

Another 13 hospitals expect their stocks will be depleted within one to two months.

Combining hospitals with no remaining stock and those expecting shortages soon, about 71% of respondent hospitals could experience stock shortages around the summer.

Some hospitals also reported having to transfer patients to other facilities due to unstable supply.

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The issue is not just "no drugs available" but a "system that makes continuous production difficult."

The medical community points to the low pricing structure as the root cause of the crisis.

The price for one ampoule of Ativan injection is about 782 won, and the cost for a single neonatal dose of Cortisolu is about 410 won.

Meanwhile, raw material costs, labor charges, and manufacturing management expenses continue to rise.

With drug prices kept low while production costs increase, pharmaceutical companies have less incentive to keep producing these essential drugs.

In particular, the low usage volume of essential pediatric drugs means supply instability is likely to recur.

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This is not the first time essential pediatric medications have run out.

Shortages of critical medicines in pediatric care settings have been a recurring issue.

Budesonide inhalation solution, used for treating pediatric croup, has repeatedly faced supply concerns, and shortages of fever reducers have occurred whenever colds or influenza are widespread.

Pharmacies and hospitals have struggled to secure stock, and caregivers have often had to visit multiple locations in search of medication.

The current supply disruptions of Ativan and Cortisolu are not just isolated incidents—they highlight the vulnerability of the entire supply system for essential pediatric medicines.

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Stock is running out faster than the government can respond.

The government is seeking alternative production for Ativan.

For Cortisolu, supply is expected to resume around November to December 2026.

However, what worries medical professionals most is the gap before the supply resumes.

Even after production restarts, it may take time for the drugs to reach hospitals in a stable manner.

The question from the field is simple.

"Do we have enough drugs right now for emergency patients?"

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Essential medicines cannot be left solely to the market.

The medical community emphasizes that emergency drugs directly linked to children's lives should not be treated as mere market commodities.

A separate system is needed to ensure stable production and supply, even if profitability is low.

There may not be many medications required in pediatric emergency rooms.

However, when they are needed, they must be available without fail.

It's time to reevaluate the essential medicine supply chain to ensure that life-saving drugs for children do not disappear from hospitals.