One expert told Sky News that the supply chain holdup showed the system had failed a “stress test”, adding that the UK had little control over it as manufacturing was carried out in other countries. .
by Josh Guffson, News Producer
Sunday 17 December 2023 01:59, UK
The supply of ADHD drugs faces continued disruption until April 2024, major manufacturers have told Sky News.
Takeda, a major British pharmaceutical company that makes attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) drugs, says it is “doing everything in its power” to resolve the current shortage, but that supplies will remain “intermittent” until April next year. It is expected that there will be a “suspension.” .
it comes after that The NHS said the shortage would be resolved. At “various dates from October to December 2023.”
ADHD Charity UK estimates that around 2.6 million people are living with ADHD in the UK and drug use has doubled in the past five years.
The shortage means many people who rely on drugs to manage their symptoms have to ration pills or drive miles to pick up prescriptions.
“I have to call pharmacies all over the country.”
Georgie Miller was diagnosed with ADHD in 2019 after suffering for years with anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts.
She now relies on taking daily medication to treat the condition to help her work as an employment lawyer, but due to recent drug shortages, she has to travel two hours from home to buy the medication. This means that you will have to drive to a pharmacy further away. yoke.
“We have to call pharmacies all over the country and try to get our medications, and it's so hard to fit that time into your day when you're trying to work at the same time. ” she said.
“There’s very little available in Yorkshire or York itself.”
Georgie is not the only one struggling to find medication, with research from ADHD UK finding that 97% of people with the condition in the UK are affected by drug shortages.
read more:
ADHD patients self-medicate with cannabis
Patients forced to fund ADHD diagnosis via credit card
“We don't have a plan B.”
The NHS said the disruption in ADHD products was due to a combination of both manufacturing issues and increased demand.
But pharmacology expert Dr Andrew Hill said the shortage was also the result of a failed “stress test” of the drug's manufacturing location and supply chain.
“The UK has no control over the supply of these medicines as manufacturing takes place in other countries.
“If one ADHD drug manufacturer goes out of business, we don't have a Plan B. We can't afford to be in a situation like this.”
ADHD patient self-medicates with cannabis
Henry Shelford, chief executive of ADHD UK, said that for many people taking the medication, the consequences “can be life-changing”.
He told Sky News: “Sudden removal is like taking away a wheelchair from a disabled person who needs it.
“That's what's happening to people with ADHD in this drug crisis.”
A government spokesperson said the government understood how “frustrating and distressing” drug shortages were, but said it was “working intensively” with suppliers to improve the situation, with some issues now resolved. He added that it has been done.
