The latest drug in short supply in the UK is a drug to treat epileptic seizures. A notice from the Department of Health and Human Services last Wednesday informed doctors and pharmacists that Tegretol (carbamazepine) 200 mg extended-release tablets will not be available until mid-January. As this supply shortage continues, the impact is said to be “moderate.” The use of lower-risk alternative treatments, unlicensed imports, or alternative strengths and formulations was the way forward.
We apologize for the inconvenience, but a week ago, doctors warned that the supply of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists used by patients with type 2 diabetes could be a problem throughout 2024. Patients seeking treatment were advised to immediately stop prescribing the drug. To lose weight. A national patient safety alert has also been issued calling for “actions that healthcare providers should take to reduce the risk of death or disability.”
A few days earlier, it was announced that a pill used by cancer patients to treat high blood calcium levels would not be available until late March. There is also a shortage of pill brands for the treatment of heart-related chest pain, heart failure, and esophageal spasms. Menopausal women using the Estring 7.5 Microgram Estradiol Vaginal Ring must also look elsewhere, and there are supply issues with the various tablets used by angina patients.
As of December 18, there were 96 products on the list of drug shortages in the UK. There have been a further 10 supply notices from DHSC since then, although this is down from 111 shortages at the end of October. This total is nearly twice as many as the 52 drugs in question in January 2022.
The trend in recent years is clear. His 2023 Pressure Survey by Community Pharmacy England found that 92% of pharmacy teams were dealing with medicine supply issues on a daily basis, up from 67% the previous year. They reported that 87% of pharmacy team members believed patients' health was at risk.
This is not just a British phenomenon. A recent European Association of Hospital Pharmacists survey reported that 95% of hospital pharmacists across Europe are experiencing shortages. The EU's Working Group on Drug Shortages met last month to discuss severe shortages of five key medicines. There are said to be supply disruptions, including the impact of the Ukraine war on the supply chain, and the European Medicines Agency has recommended suspending the use of around 400 medicines it has tested. As well as attacks by Indian laboratories, there have also been shipping attacks in the Red Sea and additional regulatory paperwork required in some supply chains due to Brexit.
All of this also affects the UK. But industry insiders say there are problems unique to the UK. The collapse in the value of the pound after the Brexit referendum has made it more expensive for the NHS to buy medicines. Additionally, there is a voluntary scheme introduced by the government in 2019 to ensure NHS spending on branded medicines does not increase by more than 2% in a year. As of the end of 2023, profits earned by drug manufacturers in excess of the cap were subject to a 26% tax. Both companies argue that the UK has become an unattractive place to do business. They say this is holding back investment. Starting this year, that cap will be raised, allowing spending to increase by 4% a year. The UK Generic Manufacturers Association says the government remains penny-pinching.
and a lack of coordinated planning and communication. In 2015, guidance issued by the National Institute for Healthcare Excellence (Nice) led to an increase in prescriptions for hormone replacement therapy (HRT), but manufacturers were found unable to meet demand. The HRT shortage continued last year as well. In November 2022, UK pharmacists began reporting difficulties sourcing the antibiotic amoxicillin. At the same time, Rishi Sunak said there was sufficient supply. A week later, a drug shortage notice was issued and exports were subsequently banned. So perhaps it's no wonder that four out of five pharmacy owners said they had experienced attacks from patients due to drug supply issues. Patience with the system is quickly running out.
