The APPG on pharmacy yesterday (December 17) announced “the launch of an inquiry into the impact of medicines shortages in England, the contributing factors and potential solutions”.
“As part of this inquiry, the APPG is today issuing a call for written evidence from key stakeholders across the healthcare sector,” it added.
Read more: ‘New normal’ of medicine shortages a ‘significant burden on pharmacists’
It asked for evidence from “all those impacted by medicines shortages” – “including pharmacists and pharmacy teams, GPs and prescribers, patient groups, professional organisations and medicines manufacturers and distributors”.
Evidence survey submissions, which will be accepted until January 24, “will form a crucial part of the APPG’s wider inquiry, which will also include oral evidence sessions scheduled for early next year,” it added.
“Practical recommendations”
APPG chair and MP for Exeter Steve Race said the inquiry “is vital in understanding the full scope of the problem and, more importantly, in developing practical recommendations to Government” to address the medicines shortage.
“Medicines shortages have become an increasingly pressing issue, significantly impacting patient care and placing immense strain on our healthcare system and in particular community pharmacies,” he added.
Read more: Pharmacist unable to prevent Costa allergy death due to EpiPen shortage
“We urge all relevant parties to contribute their insights and experiences,” Race said.
It comes as the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) last week (December 13) published its “solutions for empty shelves” report into shortages.
Read more: RPS launches new project to tackle medicines shortages
It called for government to “make better use of pharmacists’ skills” and to “publish a UK-wide strategy for shortages”.
And in April, a report by the Nuffield Trust found that the “new normal” of medicine shortages was a “significant burden on pharmacists”.
“The UK risks being left in the cold” when it comes to tackling the problem, it warned at the time.
The issue of medicine shortages is also covered as part of C+D’s annual Salary Survey, which asks people working in pharmacy a host of questions about life in the sector. You can take part here.
