February 22nd 2024

By Ailsa Colquhoun

Reimbursement raised in medicines shortages discussion

Reimbursement should commonly cover the cost of the medicine, plus provide margin, generics manufacturers have said in proposals to reduce medicines shortages.

In a written statement to the Health Select Committee pharmacy inquiry, the British Generics Manufacturers’ Association (BGMA) explained that supply issues have grown since the start of 2022 and are now double what they were in 2021. This represents some 2.41 per cent of all presentations in the Drug Tariff.

It said that shortages could be mitigated if the MHRA tackled the generic licensing backlog. BGMA representatives also blamed reduced supply chain resilience (less stock carried) and less visibility of supply problems due to longer and more complex supply chains.

The inquiry has also covered the financial challenges for dispensaries adopting hub and spoke dispensing. During the inquiry, Dr Leyla Hannbeck, chief executive at Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies explained that 90 per cent of independent pharmacies’ activities are NHS-related. She said: “If you give that to a hub, all of the pharmacies that are dependent on that in the rural areas and in the heart of the community will not be able to survive.”