Xenical, Zyprexa and Cipralex have topped the list of drugs pharmacists are finding difficult to obtain, C+D can reveal.

Almost 38 per cent of respondents to a C+D survey said Xenical was one of the most hard-to-obtain branded medicines. Zyprexa and Cipralex were cited by 34 per cent and 23 per cent respectively.

In a statement, Xenical manufacturer Roche said patient access to its medicines was “of the utmost priority” for the company and that its team worked to “evaluate the level of supply needed of each medicine”.

Lilly, manufacturer of Zyprexa, told C+D that the survey “does not reflect Lilly’s current distribution arrangements”. The deal, to distribute exclusively through wholesalers AAH and Phoenix, was implemented on July 6, two weeks prior to the launch of the survey. The company added that its new model “aims to offer patients and pharmacists better continuity and reliability”.

Lundbeck, which manufactures Cipralex, was contacted by C+D but declined to comment.

The RPSGB and PSNC joined manufacturer body ABPI in warning the problem was in part caused by parallel exports. However, PSNC chief executive Sue Sharpe added that manufacturer “inflexibility”, enforced by quotas, contributed to UK demand exceeding supply.