Access to praziquantel in Italy: persistent gaps and ongoing responses amid a Europe-wide shortage

Abstract In Italy, praziquantel (PZQ) is not registered for human use and can be imported from European countries where it is authorized, according to a specific ministerial decree. Recent Europe-wide shortages, however, have made this route impractical, resulting in the unavailability of this essential medicine. This editorial summarizes historical gaps in supply, the actions undertaken, and the interim solutions implemented to restore PZQ access in Italy. The Italian experience highlights broader challenges related to essential medicines and underscores the need for coordinated national and European strategies to ensure stable and equitable availability. Graphical Abstract