Warnings about drugs shortages for pharmacies are ‘just the tip of the iceberg’
Growing shortages of medication are “heaping pressure” on already stretched local pharmacies, experts have warned.
New figures show a big jump in the number of alerts or serious shortage protocols (SSPs), which warn pharmacists some drugs are in short supply.
Analysis by the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) found 50 SSPs were issued by the Department of Health and Social Care between 2022 and 2024 – compared to 15 between 2019 and 2021. That’s a rise of more than 230%.
The alerts, which are sent out when shortages are at their most acute, were for a range of conditions, including epilepsy, angina, menopause, thyroid problems and depression.
And the NPA warned the findings were “just the tip of the iceberg, in terms of the challenges facing pharmacies and their patients”.
The association’s chief executive Paul Rees said “these growing medicine shortages are heaping pressure on our already stretched local community pharmacy teams”.
He warned that pharmacists are spending “hours a day hunting down stock” and are often “forced to turn patients away” due to being unable to order vital medication.
He added: “Pharmacists will always help patients get alternative medication, when possible, but they face continual struggles obtaining supply across an ever-changing range of conditions, from diabetes to ADHD and epilepsy.”
Four SSPs were put out over a three-day period in May, according to the NPA, the same number which were issued for the whole of 2020.
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File pic: iStock
Rebekah Smith, deputy chief executive of the charity Epilepsy Action, said it was “extremely concerning” that medication shortages were having an impact on people with the condition.
And calls to its helpline over worries about shortages have risen four-fold since the start of the year, she added.
Dr Louise Newson, a menopause specialist and GP, described the shortage of hormone replacement therapy for menopause as “a public health catastrophe”, adding that “women deserve better”.
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Meanwhile, a cross-party group of MPs has urged the government to “get a grip” on drugs shortages and commission an independent review of the medicines supply chain.
The Health and Social Care Select Committee said the issue means Pharmacy First is at risk of failure.
The policy, which the government launched in January, allows patients to be treated for seven common conditions at their local pharmacy without the need for a GP appointment or prescription.
They are sinusitis, sore throat, ear ache, infected insect bite, impetigo (a bacterial skin infection), shingles and uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women.
But MPs warned that patients could be reluctant to visit pharmacies if medication is out of stock, and said Pharmacy First will “fail if people keep having to return to their GP”.
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir Starmer to sack Treasury minister Tulip Siddiq over allegations she lived in properties linked to allies of her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, the deposed prime minister of Bangladesh.
It comes after the current Bangladeshi leader, Muhammad Yunus, said London properties used by Ms Siddiq should be investigated.
He told the Sunday Times the properties should be handed back to his government if they were acquired through “plain robbery”.
Tory leader Ms Badenoch said: “It’s time for Keir Starmer to sack Tulip Siddiq.
“He appointed his personal friend as anti-corruption minister and she is accused herself of corruption.
“Now the government of Bangladesh is raising serious concerns about her links to the regime of Sheikh Hasina.”
Ms Siddiq insists she has “done nothing wrong”.
Her aunt was ousted from office in August following an uprising against her 20-year leadership and fled to India.
Ms Siddiq is also named with her aunt in Bangladesh court documents about meetings with the Russian government.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir to sack the minister
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As economic secretary to the Treasury, Ms Siddiq is responsible for policy on both the City and tackling corruption.
She referred herself to the prime minister’s ethics watchdog on Monday following the reports about the properties.
On the same day, the prime minister said: “Tulip Siddiq has acted entirely properly by referring herself to the independent adviser, as she’s now done, and that’s why we brought into being the new code.
“It’s to allow ministers to ask the adviser to establish the facts, and yes, I’ve got confidence in her, and that’s the process that will now be happening.”
Police in Aberdeen have widened the search area for two sisters who disappeared four days ago in the city.
Eliza and Henrietta Huszti, both 32, were last seen on CCTV on Market Street after leaving their home on Tuesday at around 2.12am.
The sisters – who are part of a set of triplets and originally from Hungary – crossed the Victoria Bridge to the Torry area and turned right on to a footpath next to the River Dee.
Eliza and Henrietta Huszti were last seen on CCTV in Market Street. Pic: Police Scotland/PA
They headed in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club but officers said there is no evidence to suggest the missing women left the immediate area.
Specialist search teams, police dogs and a marine unit have been trying to trace the pair.
The sisters crossed Victoria Bridge before walking along a footpath next to the River Dee
The pair were heading in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club on the south side of the River Dee
Further searches are being carried out towards the Port of Aberdeen’s South Harbour and Duthie Park.
Police Scotland said it is liaising with authorities in Hungary to support the relatives of the two sisters.
Chief Inspector Darren Bruce said: “Eliza and Henrietta’s family are understandably extremely worried about them and we are working tirelessly to find them.
“We are seriously concerned about them and have significant resources dedicated to the inquiry.”
The sisters, from Aberdeen city centre, are described as slim with long brown hair.
Henrietta Huszti. Pic: Police Scotland
Eliza Huszti. Pic: Police Scotland
Officers have requested businesses in and around the South Esplanade and Menzies Road area to review their CCTV footage for the early morning of Tuesday 7 January.
Police added they are keen to hear from anyone with dashcam footage from that time.
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