Concern over medicine supply amid conflict in the Middle East

 

The conflict in the Middle East could lead to medicine supply shortages, pharmacists have said.

The Independent Pharmacies Association warned that the crisis could impact global supply chains through transport issues and make raw materials “harder to source”.

It said that there are already medicine supply issues and warned the conflict could exacerbate the problem.

The organisation, which represents 5,000 independent community pharmacies across England and Wales, has called on the Government to take action to tackle supply issues.

Dr Leyla Hannbeck, chief executive of the Independent Pharmacies Association, said: “Pharmacies up and down the country are reporting worsening medicines shortages.

“Many common medicines such as blood pressure medicines, pain killers, antidepressants and hormone replacement therapy medicines are currently in short supply."

Dr Hannbeck added Government must act urgently to strengthen the resilience of the UK medicines supply system.

“Without co-ordinated national action, patients will continue to feel the impact of supply disruption at the pharmacy counter.” She added: “Several factors are driving these shortages, including limited raw ingredients, rising costs and the fact that most medicines are manufactured abroad.

“A key underlying issue is the price of medicines and a reimbursement system that is no longer fit for purpose.

“Fundamental reform is needed. We must incentivise domestic manufacturing, ensure medicines are adequately priced and strengthen supply chains to protect patients.

“The ongoing conflict in the Middle East further risks shortages as pharmaceutical raw materials become harder to source, energy costs rise and transport delays mount.

“Ministers must act now before these pressures worsen and the impact on patients becomes critical.” The Department of Health and Social Care has been approached for comment," she said.