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10 Feb 2012

‘Truly shocking’ patient harm from stock shortages uncovered

Exclusive Almost half of pharmacists have known a patient whose health has suffered in the past year because of medicines shortages, the C+D Stocks...
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Shahid Bashir, Locum pharmacist
Posted on 13 February 2012.
It's absolutely appalling that no one has taken action against those responsible for this medicines shortage resulting in unacceptable harm to patients. I thought all bodies were to have ethics where patient interests are put first.
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Brian Smith, Pharmacy technician
Posted on 13 February 2012.
I have never known such an unacceptable supply situation in all the 30 years i've been in pharmacy. We are all sick and tired of trying for hours each day to source an item and only ever being told we are only allowed a couple of packs. Either we can supply medicines properly and fully or we just simply stop!!! This situation has to end now...
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Shamir Patel, Community pharmacist
Posted on 13/02/12 23:45 in reply to Brian Smith.
I just love it when products go generic and this brings an end to this whole shortage.

eg: No more Aricept problems from today

Other issues solved by off patents are Xenical, Madopar (except dispersible), Nexium, Diovan, Zyprexa, Keppra, Femara, Aromasin

Can't wait for Lipitor in May 2012 and the drug companies wonder by pharmacy doesn't want to work with them!

Every generic has a silver lining, as it makes my job easier!
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Six Figure Salary Pharmacist, Locum pharmacist
Posted on 15 February 2012.
why cant you just ring the GP and suggest an alternative ? ex hospital pharmacist with distinction in clincal pharmacy !
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A A, Community pharmacist
Posted on 20/02/12 12:24 in reply to Pharm Jit.
If only it were that simple every time. Some GPs think pharmacists are lying when we tell them of shortages and expect patients to try alternative pharmacies in the next town or village which may be anything up to 20 mile return journey after they find no-one in that alternative town or village has any stock either.
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TasB H, Community pharmacist
Posted on 23/02/12 18:52 in reply to A A.
I will and do frequently contact GPs and swap to alternatives. In addition to doing this I then contact the manufacturer and tell them that is what I have done. So they understand that they cannot treat patients this way and expect to get away with it. Unless there is a clinical need for a particular type of (eg statin) I am happy to switch patients to competitor products. I encourage others to do the same - but always ensure the manufacturer knows we have done it. That way they begin to understand the implications of their decisions in restricting supply of critical drugs to patients. Even if manufacturers wont put patients first - we can demonstrate that "Pharmacy" does.
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