News | Medicines shortages

News

UK government presses ahead with generics reimbursement reforms, despite shortage fears

Industry bodies have warned that the changes could "lead to constraints on supply".…

Published: 11 November 2021

Feature

Will ranitidine ever make a comeback? (audio)

We take a closer look at why all licenses for ranitidine were suspended and ask whether it is likely to ever make a comeback.…

Published: 1 October 2021

News

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.…

Published: 14 June 2021

News

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.…

Published: 6 April 2021

News

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.…

Published: 18 January 2021

News

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.…

Published: 7 January 2021

News

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.…

Published: 11 December 2020

News

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.…

Published: 4 December 2020

Feature

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.…

Published: 4 December 2020

News

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.…

Published: 20 October 2020