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People are rationing their medicine as shortages worsen

Patients are being forced to play “pharmacy bingo” – traveling from shop to shop to find their treatments – amid an increase in drug shortages, experts have warned. Health leaders have said some patients are even being forced to “ration out” their drugs because of supply problems.

It comes as a new survey has revealed that drug shortages are becoming a “daily occurrence” in England’s pharmacies. Treatments for diabetes, ADHD and epilepsy are just some of the medicines that have been missing so far this year, Community Pharmacy England said.




As well as ‘wreaking havoc’ on patients, new research from Community Pharmacy England has revealed the cost to pharmacy teams in England. Experts have called for an overhaul of the drug supply chain.

The results of the survey of 6,100 pharmacies in England and 2,000 members of the pharmacy team in England include:

– Almost all (97%) pharmacy team members said their patients were inconvenienced by drug supply issues, while 79% said patient health was being put at risk as a result.

– 98% said they have issued more “owes” or “I owe you” to patients because they can only supply part of their prescription.

– 99% said they experience supply issues at least weekly, while 72% said they experience “several issues a day”.

– Meanwhile, 94% of pharmacy owners said their teams are now spending more time stocking drugs compared to last year – with almost three-quarters of pharmacy staff saying they spend one to two hours each day trying to get stock of drugs or alternatives.

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