Supply chain

‘Serious gap’ in safe access to medicines for people with sensory impairment, report finds

In a report, the patient safety commissioner for England recommends a funding review to support additional resources to improve access to medicines for those with sensory impairments.…

NHS increases funding for inclisiran although uptake remains ‘slower than expected’

In a letter sent to colleagues, NHS England said it had increased the reimbursement fee for inclisiran from £50 to £60.…

Medicines pricing system creating ‘false economy’ that drives shortages, says CCA report

A report published by the Company Chemists’ Association found that the number of price concessions granted for generic medicines increased by over 740% from 2015 to 2024.…

Pharmacists asked to assist in switching patients from Promixin by end of April 2025

A national patient safety alert advises that Colicym 1-million-unit power for nebuliser solution unit dose vials should be considered as an alternative treatment.…

Fewer people reporting problems obtaining prescriptions in England, show ONS data

Survey results have revealed that 88.1% of patients said they experienced no issues accessing medicines from their pharmacy in January 2025, compared with 79.9% in August 2024.…

MPs call for urgent review into medicines shortages

A letter from 45 cross-party MPs has urged the government to look into medicines shortages to ensure patients have their “life-saving medications”.…

Almost 400,000 patients unable to get prescriptions from their local pharmacy, analysis reveals

The Liberal Democrats have urged the government to take steps to address cost increases that are affecting medicines access and struggling pharmacies.…

More than half of pharmacy staff struggle with mental health over medicines shortages, reveals survey

Respondents to the Royal Pharmaceutical Society Workforce Wellbeing Survey also cited inadequate staffing, lack of work–life balance and increased financial pressures as factors that negatively impact their mental health.…

Inclisiran prescribed to 7% of expected target population in three years, NHS data reveal

Exclusive: The Royal College of General Practitioners and the British Medical Association maintain that caution should be taken when prescribing inclisiran since long-term trial data on the drug will not be available until 2026.…

‘Confusing blur’ between genuine medicines shortages and procurement issues, says wholesalers trade body

Speaking at the Healthcare Distribution Association annual conference, executive director Martin Sawer explained that medicines shortages were not always a result of “genuine pharmaceutical unavailability” but could be caused by incentives in medicines procurement.…