DDA member highlights medicine shortages to BBC

DDA member Willingham by Stow Surgery, Lincolnshire has highlighted in the national media the impact on dispensing GPs of medicines shortages.

Speaking to BBC News, partner GP Dr Dan Lane said he spends the equivalent of three patient appointments a week trying to find medicines that are out of stock or in short supply.

The surgery's dispensary staff also told the BBC they had been shouted at by a few frustrated patients when prescriptions could not be filled.

Dr Lane describes the current level of shortages was "unprecedented" and "frustrating" for staff and patients.

He expressed concerns about the risk to patients, particularly in relation to anti-psychotics, drugs for epilepsy and insulin, when "potentially patients are going to come to great harm".

Dr Lane added that some patients try to stockpile medicines, just like toilet rolls during Covid.

For the NHS, shortages cause the cost of drugs in short supply to skyrocket.

Responding to the BBC, a Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said that said the government had inherited ongoing global supply problems that continue to impact medicine availability.

DDA news Supply Shortages