POTENTIAL SHORTAGE: An expert has claimed that the price paid for certain medicines is driving companies away (Image: Getty)
Supply issues for several blood pressure treatments are expected to persist throughout the coming months. Local pharmacists have noted occasional difficulties maintaining stocks of routine medicines such as propranolol and ramipril.
These availability challenges are linked to a shift in how pharmaceutical companies view the British market. Experts suggest that some manufacturers are re-evaluating their distribution plans due to current economic factors.
Dr Leyla Hannbeck, chief executive of the Independent Pharmacies Association, said the circumstances were ‘getting worse’ because Britain doesn’t compensate manufacturers sufficiently for certain common generic drugs. She indicated that current reimbursement rates are a factor behind the supply fluctuations of these health products.
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The core of the issue lies in the low prices set for high-volume generic drugs in the UK. Dr Hannbeck explained: “The generic medicines are the most dispensed medicines in the UK, and the key reason for these shortages is the low prices of these medicines, some as low as 3p, which is way lower than a pack of Smarties.
“It is simply not viable for manufacturers to distribute their medicines in the UK because the Government has driven these prices so low, and the UK market is unattractive for these manufacturers, hence they reduce their supply.”
Market conditions can cause the wholesale price of these items to rise significantly during periods of limited stock. Dr Hannbeck outlined how costs can suddenly soar by as much as 500% during supply shortages, reports Hanna Geissler in the Express.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) reported in August that the ‘vast majority’ of the 14,000 licensed medicines in the UK remain in good supply. A spokesperson recently noted that while global supply chains can be complex, the Government has ‘robust processes’ in place to manage any temporary disruptions.
To protect domestic stocks, ministers have recently added several common medications, including aspirin, to a restricted export list. This measure is intended to prevent wholesalers from selling UK-allocated medicine abroad for a higher profit during times of scarcity.
However, the pressure on local dispensaries remains visible as they navigate sudden price hikes. Dr Hannbeck said: “For example, a pack of Aspirin, which is very commonly used, that was 69p has gone up to over £3 overnight leaving many pharmacies unable to afford buying the usual quantities.”
Ongoing payment delays from central authorities are also reportedly stretching the limited resources of local businesses. “In addition, pharmacies only get compensation two months after they have dispensed the medicines which means that for two months they are left out of pocket and during a time when they are already struggling financially due to funding issues this has significant impact on their cashflow.”
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Despite these mounting challenges, healthcare professionals are striving to find suitable alternatives to ensure patient safety remains a priority. Dr Hannbeck stated patients should feel confident that pharmacists are doing everything possible to provide alternative medications where suitable, and to raise awareness about how critical the situation has become.
The sector continues to call for a fundamental review of how the NHS pays for medications to ensure long-term stability. She added: “Patients can support their local pharmacies by writing to the local MP and raising these concerns and asking for their pharmacies to be adequately remunerated.”
The Government needs to listen because this is going to become very serious as it is becoming less affordable for manufacturers to supply these medicines at such cheap prices. “We have repeatedly highlighted to the authorities that the medicines supply chain in the UK is at risk of collapsing.”
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