NHS patients warned of 'worst drug shortages' on record as bosses call for 'emergency task force' to tackle issue
GPs and pharmacists are experiencing the worst drug shortages on record, health bosses have warned.
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The supply issue has been complicated by the conflict in the Middle East and has led to a serious risk of patent safety, according to leading chemists.
The Royal College of GPs (RCGP) is backing calls for pharmacists to be able to make changes to prescriptions when a medicine is unavailable, which would allow them to prescribe an alternative.
The shortages include common drugs including painkillers and blood pressure tablets, the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has said.
The Royal College of GPs has also raised concerns.
Olivier Picard, the chairman of the NPA, said medicine shortages were becoming more frequent and are lasting longer.
Mr Picard said: "These shortages are some of the most severe the UK has experienced. Our medicines market has never been so volatile, with patients and primary care colleagues at the sharp end of events outside of their control.”
He added: "We're urging the government to convene an emergency task force to bring together all parts of the supply chain to tackle this issue."
Ramipril, used to treat high blood pressure, is one of those affected, along with prescription co-codamol and some strengths of low-dose aspirin.
There are also shortages of Creon, a medication used to help people with conditions including cystic fibrosis and pancreatic cancer to digest food.
Efudix, a cream used to destroy precancerous cells on the skin, has also been affected.
Prof Victoria Tzortziou Brown, president of the Royal College of GPs, added: "Medicine shortages can be frustrating for patients, GPs and pharmacists alike, especially when patients have to endure lots of back and forth to acquire a suitable alternative.
"It's essential that when shortages occur, the underlying causes are quickly identified and resolved."
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "The overwhelming majority of medicines licensed in the UK are in good supply and patients should know that when visiting the pharmacy, their prescriptions will be available.
"Ensuring there is robust supply of medicines is vital and this government is making significant investments in the UK medicine manufacturing industry to strengthen it."