NHS medicines shortage putting lives at risk, pharmacists warn

[Northerner]

An unprecedented medicines shortage in the NHS is endangering lives, pharmacists have said, as unpublished figures reveal that the number of products in short supply has doubled in two years.

A treatment for controlling epileptic seizures was the latest to be added on Wednesday to a UK drugs shortage list that includes treatments for conditions ranging from cancer to schizophrenia and type 2 diabetes.


Causes of the crisis are thought to include the plummeting purchasing value of the pound since the Brexit referendum, which reduces the NHS’s ability to source medicines abroad, and a government policy of taxing manufacturers.

According to Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) figures provided to the British Generic Manufacturers Association, there were 111 drugs on a shortages list on 30 October last year and 96 on 18 December, with supply notifications issued for a further 10 treatments to NHS providers in the UK since then.

It amounts to a 100% increase in shortages compared with January 2022, with pharmacists and health charities claiming the conditions of some patients were deteriorating as a result.

NHS medicines shortage putting lives at risk, pharmacists warn

Unpublished figures reveal a doubling of products in short supply over past two years

www.theguardian.com

 

[Northerner]

Also this analysis:

Why is UK being hit by medicine supply shortages?​

The latest drug to be in short supply in the UK is a treatment for epileptic seizures. A notification from the Department of Health and Social Care last Wednesday informed doctors and pharmacists that Tegretol – or carbamazepine – 200mg prolonged release tablets would not be available until mid-January. It was said to be of “medium impact”, as such supply shortages go. The use of low-risk therapeutic alternatives, unlicensed imports or alternative strengths or formulations were the ways to proceed.

An inconvenience on this occasion but a week earlier practitioners had been informed that supply of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, used by those with type 2 diabetes, would be problematic throughout 2024, and that doctors should immediately stop prescribing it to those seeking to lose weight. This time there was also a national patient safety alert requiring “action to be taken by healthcare providers to reduce the risk of death or disability”.


Days before that, there had been notification that a tablet used by cancer patients to treat high levels calcium of the blood would not be available until late March. There is also a shortage of a brand of tablets for the treatment of heart-related chest pain, heart failure and oesophageal spasms. Women experiencing menopause who use the Estring 7.5 micrograms estradiol vaginal ring need also to look elsewhere and there is a supply issue with a range of tablets used by people with angina.

Why is UK being hit by medicine supply shortages?

Global issues are factor but experts say there are problems peculiar to Britain such as rising costs post-Brexit

www.theguardian.com

 

[AJLang]

Friday was the first time that our pharmacy couldn’t supply Humalog vials and they didn’t know when they would be available. Mark had to to the GP to get another prescription - fortunately the lovely prescriptions lady found out who had got it and telephoned me a little while ago.

 

[Amity Island]

doctors should immediately stop prescribing it (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists) to those seeking to lose weight.

As I understand it, it is being used for weight loss. If so, by stopping the use for weight loss, wouldn't this increase the diagnoses of type 2 diabetes further down the line, which in turn would still require it (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists).

Overall, would it be better to continue its supply for weight loss, with the view of preventing diabetes later on and then ongoing use of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists.

Anyone else any views on this?

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

As I understand it, it is being used for weight loss. If so, by stopping the use for weight loss, wouldn't this increase the diagnoses of type 2 diabetes further down the line, which in turn would still require it (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists).

Overall, would it be better to continue its supply for weight loss, with the view of preventing diabetes later on and then ongoing use of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists.

Anyone else any views on this?

It isn’t licensed for weight loss though. There are versions which are available (eg wegovy). Would it be better to use those options for suitable weight loss candidates instead? And to limit the use for non-clinically-important weight loss until supplies have stabilised?

Just seems wrong for people who need a med for diabetes management to be denied it so that some celeb can shed a few pounds with no effort.

Plus the knock-on effects that have happened with shortages in other meds (as alternatives have been needed for the people with diabetes who can’t get the meds they need).

There’s a write up about the GLP shortages here:
https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/managing-your-diabetes/treating-your-diabetes/tablets-and-medication/incretin-mimetics/shortage-FAQs