News | Medicines shortages

Cost of sertraline has increased by more than 500% since 2019, figures show

Despite the number of items of sertraline dispensed increasing by 12% in 2020/2021, the cost increased by £142m, NHS data show.…

Shortages of alternatives to ranitidine could be putting patients at risk

Pharmacists have reported supply issues with the recommended alternatives to ranitidine, which has been suspended owing to the presence of the contaminant N-Nitrosodimethylamine.…

Drug shortage means prescribers asked to switch treatment for acute respiratory problems in COVID-19 patients

Pharmacy teams have been asked to only order methylprednisolone for business as usual indications.…

Government to consult on national falsified medicines detection system

The government has said it plans to consult the public on a national scheme to detect falsified medicines in the supply chain within a year after laws enabling the potential new scheme are enacted.…

Pharmacists told not to stockpile medicines as end of Brexit transition period nears

Pharmacists have been told not to stockpile medicines in advance of the end of the Brexit transition period.…

Wholesalers’ trade body says medicines supply will be ‘fine’ on the first day after Brexit transition period

The representative for wholesalers that provide 92% of the UK’s medicines has said he is confident that “everything will be fine” in terms of drugs supplies on day one after the end of the Brexit transition period.…

Martin Sawer: ‘On day one of Brexit, everything is going to be fine’

The executive director of the Healthcare Distribution Association is not concerned about immediate issues as soon as the Brexit transition period ends, but says there could be unforeseen knock-on effects on the availability of certain medicines.…

BMA recommends labelling medicines with their carbon footprint to cut emissions

All medicines should be labelled to identify their carbon footprint, the British Medical Association’s GP committee has said.…

UK could see ‘influx of counterfeit medicines’ without FMD after Brexit, warns RPS

The UK could see “an influx of counterfeit medicines” after the Falsified Medicines Directive ceases to apply at the end of the Brexit transition period on 1 January 2021, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society has warned.…

Warwick Smith: ‘The pandemic has removed factors that allowed us to be resilient for Brexit’

The director general of the British Generic Manufacturers Association speaks about how manufacturers are planning to juggle Brexit with COVID-19, and what the government can do to help.…