Experts have warned that medicine shortages in England have reached a critical level, forcing patients to play a game of “pharmacy bingo” in order to find their necessary medications.
According to a new survey by Community Pharmacy England, patients are experiencing frequent shortages of treatments for conditions such as ADHD, diabetes, and epilepsy. This has led to patients having to “ration” their drugs and rely on pharmacies to fulfill only part of their prescription, with 97% of staff reporting that patients are being inconvenienced and 79% stating that their health is being put at risk.
The survey, which polled over 6,000 pharmacies and 2,000 staff, also revealed that supply problems are a daily occurrence for many pharmacies, with 99% reporting issues at least weekly and 72% facing multiple issues per day. These shortages have been attributed to a variety of factors, including Brexit and the falling value of the pound, which has made it more expensive for the NHS to purchase medicines.
Janet Morrison, the boss of Community Pharmacy England, expressed concern over the impact of these shortages on patients, stating that they are “beyond critical” and have become an “ongoing battle” for pharmacies. She emphasized that these issues are not just an inconvenience, but can have serious consequences for patients and their health, potentially even leading to hospital visits.
William Pett from Healthwatch England echoed these concerns, calling medicine shortages an “ongoing issue that continues to wreak havoc on patients.” He shared stories of patients having to play “pharmacy bingo” in order to find their necessary medications, highlighting the desperation and frustration that these shortages are causing.
Paul Rees, head of the National Pharmacy Association, urged the government to take action in addressing the UK’s fragile medicines supply system, emphasizing that pharmacies play a crucial role in the healthcare system and need support in fulfilling their duties to patients.
In response to the survey, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care acknowledged the issue of medicine shortages and assured that the government is working to mitigate the risks and ensure that patients have access to the treatments they need. They also condemned any violence or abuse directed at healthcare staff and stated that pharmacies are backed by £2.6 billion in government funding annually.
The survey results serve as a stark reminder of the impact of medicine shortages on patients and the healthcare system as a whole. It is imperative that steps are taken to address these issues and ensure that patients have timely access to the medications they need.
