In pharmacies of 52 regions there is no medicine against allergy to birch pollen

At least 52 regions' pharmacies do not have the birch pollen preparation "Staloral", which is used in allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT), Izvestia calculated after analyzing the data of pharmacy aggregators.

Among them, for example, are the Amur, Tver, Ryazan, Smolensk, Samara, Novgorod, Orenburg and Ivanovo regions. Nizhny Novgorod Oblast Pharmacy acknowledged the shortage, but said that the drug should arrive by the end of February.

"Izvestia" sent requests to two major drug suppliers "Protek" and "Katren" with a request to comment on when, where and in what volume the last shipment of this drug was made, as well as when the next shipments will be made.

Despite the occasional interruptions with ASIT drugs, the demand for such therapy is growing, which follows from the data of the analytical company RNC Pharma. Thus, in January 2023, pharmacies sold 1.8 thousand packages for the therapy, in the same month of 2024 - 39.9 thousand, and in 2025 - 41.4 thousand packages.

The surveyed doctors warned about the beginning of the allergy season in 2025 earlier than normal and recommended those who have not had time to undergo ASIT to start taking antihistamines now. They also urged those reacting to tree pollen to wear medical masks outside and try to avoid walking in parks.

Read more in the exclusive material "Izvestia":

Explain on pollen: allergy season will start early