Supply issues

Fewer medicines at risk of supply disruption after Brexit as companies take action

The number of centrally authorised medicines that could have had their supply disrupted after Brexit has fallen from 108 to 39, according to the European Medicines Agency.…

ABPI backs community pharmacy’s absence from Brexit stockpiling

The head of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry has backed a decision not to involve community pharmacy in Brexit stockpiling of drugs.…

No-deal Brexit could hit drug supply on continent too, ABPI head warns

European governments have failed to recognise the impact a no-deal Brexit will have on their own medicine supply chains, the head of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry has warned.…

Millions of patients could be affected by ‘no-deal’ Brexit medicines shortages, says MHRA chief

Exclusive: Millions of patients — including the prime minister herself — could be “seriously disadvantaged” by disruption to the drug supply chain if the UK exits the EU without a deal, the head of the UK’s medicines regulator has said.…

NHS planning to safeguard medicines supply in case of no-deal Brexit

Simon Stevens has confirmed the government is working on plans to ensure supplies of medicines and medical equipment from Europe should the UK end up with a no-deal Brexit.…

How precarious antibiotic supplies are putting patients at risk

The antibiotic supply chain is “at risk of collapsing”, which could lead to major problems treating serious infections and add to resistance levels.…

Antibiotic shortages are fuelling antimicrobial resistance, say experts

Antibiotic supply chains are on the brink of collapse, putting basic healthcare across the globe at risk, according to a new white paper published today by the Access to Medicine Foundation.…

More generic prescribing could save £18m, NHS Business Services Authority says

Nearly £18m could be saved from the NHS drugs budget if more medicines from a published list were prescribed generically, the NHS Business Services Authority (NHS BSA) has said.…

Puerto Rico hurricane damage could lead to drug shortages

The damage wreaked by Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico in September 2017 could have serious repercussions for patients who rely on medicines and healthcare products manufactured there.…

‘Unorderly’ Brexit risks shortage of life-saving drugs

The British and European pharmaceutical industries warn against impact on life-saving drugs in a letter to Brexit leaders.…