The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) has hit out at pharmacists for creating medicine shortages, stressing that pharmaceutical companies have taken "many additional steps" to ensure UK patients' needs are met. A "small number of pharmacies" were still exporting medicines for profit, which had led to supply issues, the ABPI told C+D.

"Medicine supply shortages in the UK are primarily caused by the exportation of medicines intended for UK patients in order to make a profit," said an ABPI spokesperson. "While most pharmacists continue to put extra effort into ensuring patients receive the medicines they need, unfortunately a small number of pharmacists in the supply chain are trading extra medicines abroad."

Manufacturers had implemented "emergency distribution arrangements" to ensure pharmacists received the medicines they needed, the ABPI stressed. It added that direct to pharmacy distribution was one of these emergency measures.

Manufacturer Eli Lilly also said that the Department of Health had put supply issues down to the exporting of medicines "at least in part". The company had previously said it had a "list of pharmacies" that could exporting medicines in short supply.

However, the British Association of Pharmaceutical Wholesalers (BAPW) said that "no one party" was to blame. "The incentives that exist in the medicines supply system have created the conditions for some delays in patients receiving branded medicines," said BAPW executive director Martin Sawer. "The supply chain requires more obligations to be placed on the players and we believe the principles of a public service obligation should be applied."

Pharmacy Voice echoed Mr Sawer's comments. "The government has not ruled out legal obligations on manufacturers and wholesalers," said Pharmacy Voice chief executive Rob Darracott, calling for "active discussions" on the subject.

However, the ABPI acknowledged in a statement: "Trading in medicines is a legitimate activity in Europe due to the free movement of goods; however, as the UK now has amongst the lowest prices in Europe, medicines intended for UK patients are flowing out of the UK."