Contractor Mike Hewitson says it's time the government stopped burying its head in the sand

There's nothing new about medicines shortages; they are still the same complex problem they've always been and getting hold of medicines remains a daily struggle. The government seems loath to recognise this, though. When I was thrust in front of a TV camera to talk about shortages a few weeks ago, the interviewer told me the government felt the situation was "getting better"."I still can't get the medicines my patients need," I responded. I'm so fed up of apologising 30 times a day for something that is completely out of my control. While it is personally very demoralising, on the other side of the counter this has to affect people's trust in me as a brand and my business. On Monday, I had a conversation with a patient recovering from breast cancer. Her treatment was unavailable. With the tears glinting in her eyes, she said: "I'm going to have to try another chemist." I had to disappoint her yet again. "I use five wholesalers – Boots uses one, and Co-op one or two – so I don't think that would make any difference, in all honesty," I responded. My patient is an educated, logical woman, but the anxiety of not being able to get her medicine was clearly having an effect on her.

I'm so fed up of apologising 30 times a day for something that is completely out of my control