November 19, 2019
Medication shortages have been rife since the start of the year – and it seems the situation isn’t going to get better any time soon. 
What Can You Actually Do If Youre Impacted By Medicine Shortages?
An internal 24-page document from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), seen by the Guardian, showed the NHS is running low on multiple medicines including those used to treat cancer, mental illness and heart conditions.
As of last week, there were 17 new drug shortages, according to the document, in addition to ongoing issues with 69 different types and doses of medication.
Dr Nick Mann, a GP based in London, called the situation “absolutely unprecedented” and told the Guardian: “Previously we would have one or two or three drugs that would go offline for a while, but this is something on a different level.”Related... Pharmacists Experiencing Shortages Of Every Major Type Of Medicine, Poll Reveals Since 2014, more than 900 formulations have been in short supply at some point or other, according to Pulse. There are many reasons why this happens – but predominantly it’s down to issues with the global supply chain.
When something goes wrong in one part of the chain, it can have a roll-on effect to the other parts of it, according to Fin McCaul, a community pharmacist in Manchester. Any issue with a particular ingredient, the packaging, or safety information can impact the whole supply.
What’s more, the UK – and England, in particular – has some of the cheapest medicines in the market. “Community pharmacies worked hard in negotiating down tariff prices with manufacturers to make the UK one of the best value sources of drugs,” McCaul told HuffPost UK earlier this year.
“When there’s a shortage worldwide, the UK then tends to be the last place the manufacturers will put the stock into, purely because they can get a better return somewhere else.”Related... What’s Really Going On With Brexit Medicine Shortages? It's 'Complicated' It is understood that drugs for cancer, Parkinson’s disease, mental health issues, some eye conditions, tuberculosis, heart conditions, hepatitis and epilepsy are currently experiencing shortages.
So what can people do if they’re impacted – if anything?1. Speak to your pharmacist.The first port of call for patients should be their pharmacy, Leyla Hannbeck, CEO of the Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies (AIMp), tells HuffPost UK.“Patients should discuss any concerns they have regarding medicine shortages with their pharmacist,” she says. “All healthcare professionals are working together to ensure patients are looked after and not left without their medicines.”
In some cases, she says, pharmacists might phone up other pharmacies to see if they have a specific type of medication in stock.2. Get your prescription a week early.Professor Ley Sander, medical director at the Epilepsy Society, advises people to take their prescription to the pharmacy up to seven days before actually needing the medication – to allow for delays.
“It gives the pharmacist time to order stock from suppliers or to ring other pharmacies or suppliers, to access your medication elsewhere,” he says.3. Don’t stockpile medicine.Patients are advised not to stockpile medicine as this can further contribute to shortages and also result in medication waste. Only order what you need.Related... Medicine Waste Is 'A Huge Problem For NHS' As Pill Packet Photo Goes Viral 4. Order online.It’s worth seeing if you can order medicine online through your pharmacy – it’s best to go in and speak to a pharmacist about how to do that, so they can guide you through the process if it’s available. 
Don’t try and source your medication from “unreputable sources” online though, warns Hannbeck, as you might end up taking counterfeit meds that could cause you harm. 5. Get to grips with the Serious Shortages Protocol.The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has a Serious Shortages Protocol (SSP) that will be activated in the case where medication is in very short supply. It may be used when other measures have been exhausted or are likely to be ineffective.
This enables pharmacists to offer alternative drugs to the ones prescribed by GPs – this could mean being given medication with a lower dosage which you have to take more of, or a generic equivalent or different brand. However, this isn’t always suitable – for example, for someone needing epilepsy drugs. 
As a patient, you are entitled not to accept a changed prescription but to refer back to your GP, says Prof Sander. If you want to know more about the protocol, it’s worth speaking to your GP or pharmacist. 
DHSC told HuffPost UK it cannot comment on the shortages “due to the pre-election period.”Related... Here's When You Should And Shouldn't Be Taking Antibiotics Aspirin, Paracetamol Or Ibuprofen – Which Pill Should You Take For Your Pain?
Related Stories
Latest News
Top news around the world
Academy Awards

‘Oppenheimer’ Reigns at Oscars With Seven Wins, Including Best Picture and Director

Get the latest news about the 2024 Oscars, including nominations, winners, predictions and red carpet fashion at 96th Academy Awards

Around the World

Celebrity News

> Latest News in Media

Watch It
Millie Bobby Brown & Jake Bongiovi Celebrate “Three Years of Bliss” Ahead of Wedding
March 24, 2024
C4Ehegcq1-A
Kate Middleton & Prince William "Enormously Touched" by Public Support
March 24, 2024
s8fig-RCjFc
Gisele Bündchen Denies Cheating on Ex-Husband Tom Brady
March 23, 2024
_SpRMagA8BM
Eminem, 50 Cent & Snoop Dogg Present Dr. Dre with a Star on the Walk of Fame
March 19, 2024
4bNLs1hxVp8
Opening Remarks for the Variety Summit October 20th, 2023 Jay Penske
March 18, 2024
c6Z707iLq8E
'Everybody Was S----ing Their Pants': Nick Thune Jokes About Being Born in the '70s and Fatherhood
March 16, 2024
mm7Baf6o2d8
Gunna Says Tour Will Up Creativity in Rap, Endorses Flo Milli | TMZ
March 22, 2024
QfMU24fw-Qo
Reporter Taylor Lorenz Says Palace Botched Kate Cancer News Rollout | TMZ Live
March 22, 2024
o43ZucdiyEo
Riley Strain's Body Found After Going Missing in Nashville 2 Weeks Ago | TMZ NOW
March 22, 2024
1m1zM-4_Cs8
Kyle Richards hasn’t spoken to co-star Dorit Kemsley, denies sending her a ‘manipulative’ text
March 24, 2024
LqLZzDP1hm4
Jordan Emanuel on her connection to 'RHOSLC' star Meredith Marks, advice from Amanda Batula
March 24, 2024
5NPAwlOov1Y
Kate Middleton’s uncle Gary apologizes after slamming ‘fickle’ Meghan Markle in scathing interview
March 24, 2024
JWG9kitALZk
TV Schedule
Late Night Show
Watch the latest shows of U.S. top comedians

Sports

Latest sport results, news, videos, interviews and comments
Latest Events
20
Mar
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Playoffs - Women
SK Brann W - Barcelona W
20
Mar
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Playoffs - Women
Hacken W - PSG W
19
Mar
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Playoffs - Women
SL Benfica W - Lyon W
19
Mar
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Playoffs - Women
Ajax W - Chelsea W
17
Mar
SPAIN: La Liga
Atletico Madrid - Barcelona
17
Mar
ENGLAND: FA Cup
Manchester United - Liverpool
17
Mar
ITALY: Serie A
Inter Milan - Napoli
17
Mar
ENGLAND: Premier League
Brighton - Manchester City
17
Mar
GERMANY: Bundesliga
Borussia Dortmund - Eintracht Frankfurt
17
Mar
ENGLAND: FA Cup
Chelsea - Leicester City
17
Mar
ITALY: Serie A
Roma - Sassuolo
17
Mar
ITALY: Serie A
Verona - AC Milan
17
Mar
ITALY: Serie A
Juventus - Genoa
16
Mar
GERMANY: Bundesliga
Darmstadt - Bayern Munich
16
Mar
ENGLAND: FA Cup
Manchester City - Newcastle United
16
Mar
ENGLAND: Premier League
Fulham - Tottenham Hotspur
16
Mar
SPAIN: La Liga
Osasuna - Real Madrid
13
Mar
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: 1/8 Final
Atletico Madrid - Inter Milan
12
Mar
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: 1/8 Final
Barcelona - Napoli
12
Mar
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: 1/8 Final
Arsenal - Porto
11
Mar
ENGLAND: Premier League
Chelsea - Newcastle United
10
Mar
ENGLAND: Premier League
Liverpool - Manchester City
10
Mar
SPAIN: La Liga
Real Madrid - Celta Vigo
10
Mar
ENGLAND: Premier League
Aston Villa - Tottenham Hotspur
10
Mar
ITALY: Serie A
Juventus - Atalanta
10
Mar
ITALY: Serie A
Fiorentina - Roma
10
Mar
ITALY: Serie A
AC Milan - Empoli
Find us on Instagram
at @feedimo to stay up to date with the latest.
Featured Video You Might Like
zWJ3MxW_HWA L1eLanNeZKg i1XRgbyUtOo -g9Qziqbif8 0vmRhiLHE2U JFCZUoa6MYE UfN5PCF5EUo 2PV55f3-UAg W3y9zuI_F64 -7qCxIccihU pQ9gcOoH9R8 g5MRDEXRk4k
Copyright © 2020 Feedimo. All Rights Reserved.