People are rationing their medicine as shortages worsen

Patients are being forced to play “pharmacy bingo” – traveling from shop to shop to find their treatments – amid an increase in drug shortages, experts have warned. Health leaders have said some patients are even being forced to “ration out” their drugs because of supply problems.

It comes as a new survey has revealed that drug shortages are becoming a “daily occurrence” in England’s pharmacies. Treatments for diabetes, ADHD and epilepsy are just some of the medicines that have been missing so far this year, Community Pharmacy England said.

As well as ‘wreaking havoc’ on patients, new research from Community Pharmacy England has revealed the cost to pharmacy teams in England. Experts have called for an overhaul of the drug supply chain.

The results of the survey of 6,100 pharmacies in England and 2,000 members of the pharmacy team in England include:

– Almost all (97%) pharmacy team members said their patients were inconvenienced by drug supply issues, while 79% said patient health was being put at risk as a result.

– 98% said they have issued more “owes” or “I owe you” to patients because they can only supply part of their prescription.

– 99% said they experience supply issues at least weekly, while 72% said they experience “several issues a day”.

– Meanwhile, 94% of pharmacy owners said their teams are now spending more time stocking drugs compared to last year – with almost three-quarters of pharmacy staff saying they spend one to two hours each day trying to get stock of drugs or alternatives.

“The medicine supply challenges facing community pharmacies and their patients are beyond critical,” said Community Pharmacy England chief executive Janet Morrison. Patients with a wide range of clinical and therapeutic needs are affected daily and this goes far beyond inconvenience, leading to frustration, anxiety and affecting their health.

“For some patients, not having access to the medicines they need could lead to very serious consequences, even leaving them having to visit A&E. For pharmacies, ensuring that everyone can access the medicines they need has become an ongoing battle, putting immense pressure on pharmacy teams and businesses.

“We have warned for some time that these issues need to be addressed, and this evidence provides yet another stark warning that should not be ignored.”

Commenting on the survey, William Pett, from Healthwatch England, said: “The supply of medicines is an ongoing problem that continues to wreak havoc on patients.

“Healthwatch England is hearing how shortages can lead to rationing and desperate cases of ‘pharmacy bingo’, where patients have to travel from pharmacy to pharmacy in search of stock. We are calling for a review of the medicines supply chain to ensure safety and resilience and for pharmacy teams to have the flexibility, where it is safe to do so, to make changes to the medicines they dispense in collaboration with patients.”

Mark Dayan, of the Nuffield Trust think tank, added: “Almost every available indicator shows that from 2021 we have experienced a once unimaginable level of drug shortages again and again. The crisis jumps between products and conditions without any sign of showing itself. This important survey demonstrates the impact on pharmacists and patients more clearly than anything we’ve seen before.”

Paul Rees, Chief Executive of the National Pharmacy Association, added: “This stark survey highlights the precarious nature of the supply of medicines in the UK – even for life-threatening conditions. Pharmacists will always help patients obtain alternative medicines when possible, but face constant struggles to obtain supplies in an ever-changing range of conditions, from diabetes to ADHD and epilepsy.

“We urgently need the Government to fix the UK’s fragile drug supply system so that pharmacies can do their jobs and patients can get their life-saving medicines on time.”

The Department of Health and Social Care has been contacted for comment.