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medicine shortages

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Special report: Time for a bit of joined-up thinking?

Problems with medicines shortages are a daily occurrence in the UK and it is being made increasingly clear to policymakers that simply blaming global supply chain issues does not wash any more. A major part of the problem lies closer to home. Report by Patrick Grice

29 Apr 2025 , 8 Min Article

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Patient harm a ‘ticking time bomb,’ warns owner of peninsula’s only pharmacy

Faisel Baig, who owns St Mawes Pharmacy on the Roseland peninsula, said patients face a 20-mile drive to the nearest pharmacy in Truro to get their medication.

28 Apr 2025 , 1 Min Article

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Trump tariffs bring concern for UK supply chain, pharmacies and patients

The NPA said President Trump’s announcement has “caused a degree of uncertainty for the UK medicines supply chain".

10 Apr 2025 , 3 Min Article

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Brexit ‘only partly to blame’ for worsening drugs shortages, Nuffield report says

Monthly price concessions last year fell from about 200 to 150. But the report said that number was “unthinkable a decade ago".

24 Mar 2025 , 2 Min Article

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Penny pinching on medicines costing the taxpayer pounds says CCA

Multiples’ trade body calls for end-to-end review of supply chain to resolve medicines shortages chaos.

19 Mar 2025 , 4 Min Article

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NPA wants greater flexibility to substitute medication to tackle shortages

Alarming NPA survey reveals growing impact of medicines shortages on patients.

10 Mar 2025 , 2 Min Article

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DH: Giving pharmacists switching powers could make shortages worse

Government 'looking very closely' into giving pharmacists flexibility says civil servant

13 Feb 2025 , 1 Min Article

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APPG launches inquiry into medicines shortages and calls for evidence

The All-Party Pharmacy Group said its inquiry will examine the factors causing shortages and potential solutions.

09 Jan 2025 , 1 Min Article

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Starmer must appoint a medicines tsar to solve shortages, says NPA

The National Pharmacy Association has warned that the supply chain's "robustness" needs testing because patients’ health is suffering.

12 Jul 2024 , 2 Min Article

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NPA urges parties to make drugs shortages election pledge as SSPs soar

Fifty SSPs were issued between 2022 and 2024 compared with 14 SSPs issued between 2019 and 2021.

03 Jun 2024 , 1 Min Article

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DHSC issues new medicines stock warnings

Somatropin (NutropinAq) 10mg/2ml solution for injection cartridges have been discontinued.

30 May 2024 , 1 Min Article

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Opinion: Medicines substitution is the answer

More flexibility around medicines substitution is essential to help community pharmacists circumnavigate shortages and better manage their workloads to deliver more clinical care, says Debra Ainge, chief executive of medicines sourcing platform iEthico

03 May 2024 , 4 Min Article

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Charities urge health secretary to urgently review medicines supply chain

Four charities said they were “inundated with calls” from patients suffering from epilepsy and Parkinson's disease.

26 Apr 2024 , 1 Min Article

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‘Constantly elevated’ drug shortages becoming ‘the new normal’, report warns

Why are medicines shortages getting so severe? A Nuffield Trust report investigates.

18 Apr 2024 , 3 Min Article

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RPS sets up ‘advisory group’ to examine causes of drugs shortages

The group will be chaired by Dr Bruce Warner (pictured) who stepped down as England's deputy chief pharmaceutical officer last year.

13 Mar 2024 , 1 Min Article

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Sigma conference: Inquiry is considering generic substitution to solve shortages

Steve Brine said his committee may recommend allowing pharmacists to provide another version of a medicine that is unavailable on prescription.

26 Feb 2024 , 1 Min Article

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