New report aims to reduce impact of medicine supply risks
Medicine supply issues still remain rare: the report shows that the UK has approximately 14,000 licensed medicines and in the past year, 264 medicines were monitored under shortage protocols.
Despite this, when shortages do happen, they can cause considerable stress and worry for those impacted. During the Pancreatic Enzyme Replacement Therapy (PERT) shortages, many people affected by cystic fibrosis shared the impact the shortages were having on their mental and physical health.
Some areas that can impact access to medicines include shortages of raw materials, manufacturing constraints, geopolitical instability and sudden surges in demand. These issues can also place pressure on the wider health system. 26% of pharmacy teams spend more than two hours a day trying to source alternative medicines or stock.
The report suggests how key stakeholders - pharmaceutical companies, the Department of Health and Social Care, the NHS, regulators, wholesalers, pharmacists - need to work together, sharing data and using collaborative planning to reduce risks.
The ABPI suggests improving early warning systems for supply issues so risks can be addressed before patients are affected, sharing data to better predict any possible shortages, supporting digital innovation to help with predicting future issues and allowing flexibility to get suitable alternatives quickly and safely.
Secure access to medicines is critical for everyone with cystic fibrosis. As the recent challenges with PERT have shown, the impact of shortages is huge – affecting physical and mental health. Improving early warning systems and helping to prevent stress for those impacted is a good step forward.
Alice Billin, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at Cystic Fibrosis Trust
We also support the call to improve collaboration across the whole system, including patient organisations who can be the first to hear about issues accessing medicines through our support services. We will continue to work with the Government to make sure a long-term resolution to shortages is achieved and everyone with CF is able to access the medicines they need.
Ross Maclagan, ABPI Head of Supply and Distribution Policy, said: “Medicines supply issues are very serious for patients, and our industry takes the security and resilience of supply chains extremely seriously.
“Systems to manage supply were stress tested like never before during the pandemic, as well as by the recent conflicts in Ukraine and now the Middle East. While the industry has met these challenges, global pressures are growing, and we cannot be complacent. That is why this report sets out practical recommendations to make an already resilient system even stronger, so patients can continue to get the medicines they need when they need them.”
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