A shortage of the HIV medication PrEP in Germany should "stabilize significantly" within the next few days, according to Germany's Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) on Thursday.
The medication consists of two HIV oral medications, Truvada and Descovoy. PrEP is widely prescribed to higher-risk individuals to prevent HIV infections as well as used to manage the virus in those already infected.
It has recently been in short supply in Germany due to supply chain issues at drug manufacturers.
Progress in addressing the issue comes from "close coordination" between the regulator BfArm and Ratiopharm and Heumann, the companies that hold the marketing authorization.
They have now confirmed to the BfArM that they will make considerable product quotas available to the market at very short notice," a BfArM spokesman told dpa.
Earlier this week, BfArM had said supplies might only stabilize in February.
According to current plans, stocks should last until at least the end of April and sufficient medication should be available to supply users.
Pre-exposure prophylaxis, or Prep for short, protects against HIV infection and is used by tens of thousands of people in Germany.
According to doctors, some users have had to stop taking the medication or change their therapy as a result.
The HIV/AIDS advocacy group Deutsche Aidshilfe has warned of potentially "fatal consequences" from the shortage.