Patients compelled into ‘pharmacy bingo’ – as survey says medication shortages ‘past crucial’

People are having to play “pharmacy bingo” – going from store to buy to search out shares – as medication shortages are worsening, consultants have mentioned.

Health leaders say some sufferers are even having to “ration” their medication, with a brand new ballot suggesting shortages are a “daily occurrence” for a lot of of England’s pharmacies.

Treatments for ADHD, diabetes and epilepsy are amongst these affected this 12 months, in accordance with commerce physique Community Pharmacy England.

Its survey of greater than 6,000 pharmacies and a couple of,000 employees discovered shortages are “wreaking havoc” on sufferers.

Nearly all (97%) of employees mentioned sufferers have been being inconvenienced, whereas 79% mentioned well being was being put in danger.

Some 98% mentioned they have been additionally giving out extra “I owe yous” – the place they will solely fulfil a part of the prescription.

Nearly all (99%) pharmacies reported provide issues at the least weekly, and 72% mentioned they have been having “multiple issues a day”.

Another survey final month, by the Nuffield Trust thinktank, mentioned drug shortages had greater than doubled between 2020 and 2023 and that Brexit was more likely to “significantly weaken” the UK’s skill to cope with the problems.

Shortages have additionally been a rising downside in Europe and the US in recent times.

However, the UK leaving EU provide chains is alleged to have added issues corresponding to customized checks at borders and drug makers going through additional regulation.

The falling worth of the pound after Brexit has additionally made it costlier for the NHS to purchase medicines.

Community Pharmacy England boss Janet Morrison mentioned the availability issues have been “beyond critical” and had turn into an “ongoing battle” for pharmacies.

“Patients with a wide range of clinical and therapeutic needs are being affected on a daily basis and this is going far beyond inconvenience, leading to frustration, anxiety and affecting their health,” she added.

“For some patients, not having access to the medicines they need could lead to very serious consequences, even leaving them needing to visit A&E.”

Ms Morrison mentioned the survey was “yet another stark warning which must not be ignored”.

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William Pett from Healthwatch England known as it an “ongoing issue that continues to wreak havoc on patients”.

“Healthwatch England hears about how shortages can lead to rationing and desperate instances of ‘pharmacy bingo’, where patients must travel from pharmacy to pharmacy looking for stock,” he mentioned.

Paul Rees, head of the National Pharmacy Association, urged the federal government “to sort out the UK’s fragile medicines supply system, so that pharmacies can do their job and patients can get their lifesaving medicines in time”.

The Department of Health and Social Care is but to remark.