Wholesalers: Media 'horror stories' cause 'self-fulfilling’ shortages

Surges in demand for certain drugs can be traced back to “firestorm” news stories that don’t necessarily reflect market conditions, a wholesaling industry representative has suggested.

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“All it will take is one patient to say they couldn't get Calpol for their child or something, and that will be it”

Media reports on medicines shortages can actually drive them in a “self-fulfilling prophecy”, executive director of the Healthcare Distribution Association (HDA) Martin Sawer told C+D in an exclusive interview last week (August 17).

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James Stent

Read more by James Stent

James Stent joined C+D as a digital reporter in May 2023 from the South African human rights news agency GroundUp, where he was senior reporter and consultant editor.

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