Pharmacy bodies call on government to act on stock shortages

Pharmacy bodies have called on the government to take more steps to resolve stock shortages, following the announcement last week that it will not move to ban export of medicines that are in short supply as this would not be in accordance with the principles of the EU.The ABPI agreed that free movement of goods is a core principle of the EU. However, an ABPI spokesperson said: “There is already EU legislation which is also reflected in UK law, that all participants in the supply chain should ensure adequate supplies of medicines to meet the needs of UK patients. The ABPI remains concerned that this principle is not being effectively implemented in the UK.”The ABPI added that it has presented two proposals to the government to resolve the issue.However, the PSNC remains concerned that there is no simple solution to this complex issue. PSNC head of information services Lindsay McClure said: “Stock shortages are a highly complex issue and the web of national and European legislation that protects the free trade in medicines means that there is no easy or immediate solution to the problem.”Medicines distributor AAH called on the government to clarify what recommendations the Department of Health (DH) Supply Chain Working Group will propose to improve access to medicines in the UK.AAH group managing director Mark James said: “This answer provides insight and clarity into the thinking and approach of the DH. It also shows that the DH recognises that the issue is more complex than simply banning exports.”