Drug shortages in England have reached a critical level, putting patients at risk of immediate harm and even death, pharmacists have warned. The situation has become so dire that pharmacists are increasingly having to issue “owings” to patients, informing them that only part of their prescription can be dispensed and asking them to come back later for the rest.
According to Community Pharmacy England (CPE), hundreds of different drugs have become hard or impossible to obtain, posing immediate risks to patient health and wellbeing. Janet Morrison, CPE’s chief executive, expressed grave concern over the impact of these shortages on patients, stating that not having access to necessary medicines could lead to serious consequences, even requiring a visit to A&E.
Recent months have seen shortages of key medicines for conditions such as type 2 diabetes, ADHD, and epilepsy. James Davies, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s director for England, emphasized that these shortages are disrupting treatment for patients and destabilizing their health.
The report by CPE, based on a survey of pharmacy owners and staff, revealed alarming statistics: 79% of pharmacy staff believe that medicine shortages are putting patient health at risk, 91% have seen a significant increase in the problem since last year, and 99% encounter unavailable drugs at least weekly.
Pharmacists are also facing abuse and hostility from frustrated patients who are unable to access their prescribed medications. Fin McCaul, the owner of an independent community pharmacy, shared that staff often end up in tears due to the pressure and aggression they face from patients.
Experts attribute the drug shortages to global supply and manufacturing issues, with Brexit exacerbating the situation. Mark Dayan from the Nuffield Trust thinktank highlighted that the UK’s separation from the wider European pool of supplies due to Brexit has created additional obstacles in addressing the shortages.
Despite the challenges, a Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson reassured the public that the majority of licensed medicines are in good supply and that supply issues can arise for various reasons not specific to the UK.
As the crisis of drug shortages continues to escalate, pharmacists, healthcare providers, and policymakers are urged to collaborate closely to ensure a stable supply of medicines and safeguard patient health and wellbeing.