Competition regulator to investigate antibiotics price rise following surge in Strep A cases

An investigation has been launched by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) following rocketing prices of antibiotics in the wake of Strep A cases.

Drug companies have been accused of hiking prices after some pharmacies said they were being charged up to £19 for a box of drugs that normally costs a few pounds.

Pharmacies say they are losing thousands per week as they can only recoup a fraction of the cost of drugs from the NHS.

They are also reporting that parents are having to go from pharmacy to pharmacy trying to find drugs for poorly children, as they struggle to get hold of antibiotics.

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On Monday, the Department of Health issued a medicine supply notification for antibiotics for the treatment of Strep A. It said that supplies “may be temporarily limited in supply” at certain wholesalers and pharmacies.

This followed a statement by Health Secretary Steve Barclay, who said there was no shortage of antibiotics and stock could be moved around if any particular area was experiencing problems with supply.

Now, a spokesperson for the CMA has said: “People have got real concerns about the price of antibiotics used to treat Strep A, and we want companies to be clear about their obligations under the law.

“There should be no doubt that it is illegal for a dominant company to charge excessive prices, or for any companies to collude to drive up prices.

“We are working to establish the facts of what is currently happening in the market and welcome new information as part of our work.

“We stand ready to take action if there is evidence of anti-competitive behaviour that breaks the law.”

Last week, one pharmaceutical leader told Sky News that shortages have been driven by “complicated supply chains” for medications and the raw materials used to make them, in many different parts of the world.

However, the industry has also seen “volatile spikes in demand for drugs” – following a sharp decline in demand during the COVID-19 pandemic, when people were not mixing or seeing GPs.

The Department of Health and Social Care told Sky News at the time, that it is “normal” for prices to “fluctuate based on demand”.

Read more:
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More pharmacies claim they can’t get hold of antibiotics

The Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies (AIMP) has urged the government to take action, as the problem is getting worse.

Faheem Ahmed told Sky News he had just three boxes of antibiotics – with many out of stock. He said in the 10 years since he qualified, he has never known a shortage of the drug.

“I hope it is temporary, but we are dealing with bacteria here, so when you say temporary, these bacteria multiply in minutes, seconds,” he said.

“They are not going to wait for two, three, four days so whether it is temporary or long-term, if you look at it from a scientific level…the infection is going to spread.”

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A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said on Wednesday: “Manufacturers currently have supplies of antibiotics available to treat Strep A.

“We continue to work urgently with manufacturers and wholesalers to expedite deliveries, bring forward stock they have to help ensure it gets to where it’s needed and boost supply to meet demand as quickly as possible and support access to these vital medicines.”