Supply issues

Wholesalers ‘hoarding’ medicines could face criminal charges, says government

Wholesale dealer licence holders could face criminal charges if they hoard certain medicines that have been placed under restrictions by the government, guidance published by the Department of Health and Social Care states.…

Government issues first serious shortage protocols to combat shortages of fluoxetine

The government has issued the first serious shortage protocols to combat shortages of the antidepressant fluoxetine.…

Some strengths of fluoxetine unavailable until December 2019

Manufacturing issues affecting the supply of the antidepressant fluoxetine mean that some strengths may not be available until December 2019, the Department of Health and Social Care has warned.…

More than a quarter of medicines yet to be stockpiled for no-deal Brexit

More than a quarter (28%) of medicine product lines do not have a six-week stockpile of medicines in preparation for a no-deal Brexit, according to figures given to the National Audit Office by the Department for Health and Social Care.…

For patients’ sake, no-deal Brexit must be avoided

Despite much preparation, crashing out of the EU without a deal throws up too much uncertainty for patients for it to be a viable option.…

No-deal Brexit: pharmacy bodies question the UK government’s readiness

Not all pharmacists are convinced by the government’s claims that it is ready to leave the EU without a deal in place.…

Pharmacies may need to share medicines when shortages arise after Brexit, says government

The Department of Health and Social Care has suggested pharmacists share their medicine supply with other pharmacies to mitigate the impact of shortages on patients.…

Medicines face six months of delays at the border in ‘worst-case’ no-deal Brexit scenario

Medicine and medical product supply chains could experience “severe extended delays” for up to six months in the “worst case” scenario after the UK leaves the EU, according to a government report.…

Jersey government could temporarily close pharmacies in no-deal Brexit scenario

Pharmacies on Jersey could be temporarily closed if a no-deal Brexit leads to severe medicines shortages, under an amendment to emergency powers passed on 10 September 2019.…

UK ‘not fully prepared’ for medicines importation in a no-deal Brexit, says hospital pharmacist body

The UK is “not fully prepared for the implications of a no-deal Brexit” despite ongoing government contingency plans, the Guild of Healthcare Pharmacists has said.…