15 January 2024 - Medecine supply shortages hit the UK
Why is UK being hit by medicine supply shortages?
Daniel Boffey (The Guardian, 14/01/2024)
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.
NHS medicines shortage with 96 drugs on list as lives are 'put at risk'
James Rodger (BirminghamLive, 15/01/2024)
An NHS medicines shortage is putting lives at risk, pharmacists have warned. 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.
Diabetes drug shortages to last until end of 2024, warns UK
Ian Johnston (The Financial Times, 05/01/2024)
Shortages of diabetes drugs in the UK will last until at least the end of the year, the government has warned, as demand for medications such as Ozempic to help with weight loss surges.
NHS medicines shortage putting lives at risk, pharmacists warn
Daniel Boffey (The Guardian, 14/01/2024)
An unprecedented medicines shortage in the NHS is endangering lives, pharmacists have said, as unpublished figures reveal that the number of products in short supply has doubled in two years.