Threats of prosecution and changes to the rules that govern who can act as a wholesaler were both touted as ways to end medicines shortages at an All-Party Pharmacy Group meeting held this week at Westminster (27 October 2009).
Currently, at least 200 medicines are affected by supply shortages, said Richard Baker, director general of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry. This is despite manufacturers supplying more product than needed to meet UK demand for several medicines, he said.
Dr Baker said that the ABPI estimates that 10 per cent of pharmacists are exporting, with medium-sized multiples being largely involved. He hypothesised that short-line wholesalers are also involved.
One pharmacist, Alistair King, from Co-op pharmacy in Lincoln, stated that although his group of pharmacies does not export, he is approached two to three times a week by people asking him to supply stock for export. Equally, Howard Stoate MP (Lab, Dartford), and chairman of the APPG, said that in his role as a GP he is informed by pharmacists two to three times per week that they cannot access a medicine that he has prescribed.
From the 200 medicines currently affected by supply problems, £30m is being made through exports from the UK, Dr Baker said. Currently, some medicines in the UK are the second cheapest in Europe (behind Poland), he added.
More at PJ
No comments:
Post a Comment