Prescription Drug Shortage Chaos as Many People Blame It on One Thing

A new survey has revealed the devastating effect of the disruption to the supply of prescription drugs in the UK. A total of 49% of 2,028 participants in a survey for the British Generic Manufacturers Association said they had experienced problems dispensing their medicines in the past two years.

Long-standing supply problems, which suddenly increased during that period, led many to blame Brexit for the situation – in fact, more than anything else, according to the Opinium survey. The situation has become so dire that one in 12 Britons are left without the medication they need, despite going to multiple pharmacies in the hope of filling their prescription.

Thirty-one percent of participants found that their medications were out of stock at their regular pharmacy, while 23% noted that the pharmacy did not have enough prescriptions to meet their needs. When the group was asked what they thought was behind supply and distribution issues, 36% pointed to Brexit as the cause.

Others cited inflation, global conflict or instability as potential causes – but BGMA chief executive Mark Samuels said several factors caused the “deeply worrying” situation, The Guardian reports. He said: “The Brexit deal is certainly one of them.

“For example, drugs made here cannot be exported to Europe, but those produced on the continent can be brought here. This provides no incentive to increase manufacturing capacity in the UK, capacity that could help with shortages.”

However, he also argued that the “complacency” with which recent governments have treated the off-patent drug industry had also contributed and, in light of the upcoming general election, advised: “The next administration needs a targeted plan to encourage companies to continue to see the UK as a priority place of supply.”

The number of drugs in short supply has continued to rise since the start of 2022, where 52 products were in that category, while the number currently stands at 100, down from an all-time high of 111 last October . This includes HRT, some antibiotics and medicines for ADHD, epilepsy, diabetes and osteoporosis.

A total of 23 of these drugs have been missing for more than a year. The NHS Business Services Authority issued four “serious shortage protocol” notices last month and the shortage is not expected to end until next year due to a global supply problem in the drugs industry.

Reach has contacted the Department of Health and Social Care for comment.