The change is made following a request from the Swedish Medicines Agency to the government, according to Hallengren.

- In the crisis we are in, access to medicines is extremely important. The virus outbreak can affect production as well as delivery and consumption, she says.

- In recent weeks we have been able to see that demand for medicines has increased significantly, and this is mainly due to increased withdrawals from pharmacies.

"No shortage of drugs"

The so-called high-cost protection only applies today if you take out a drug consumption for a maximum of three months, but if you pay for the drugs yourself, an entire annual consumption can be charged.

"Many have used this opportunity," says Lena Hallengren.

The new regulations the government is now facing are aimed at countering the hoarding of medicines.

- We do not have a shortage of medicines, but if everyone retrieves their annual consumption, it will be empty on the shelves of pharmacies. If, on the other hand, everyone retrieves for three months at a time, the stocks can be replenished.

Valid until further notice

The decision began to apply at midnight on Wednesday, and is valid as long as the government believes the need remains.

- We believe that the new regulatory framework will support the pharmacies in their efforts to counteract a shortage of medicines, Hallengren says.