Government group piles pressure on manufacturers over shortages
Sort Out Stocks The government's medicines supply chain group has criticised manufacturers for their inertia on shortages. But ABPI chief Stephen Whitehead argued that exports were the "real problem".
Manufacturers have come under fire from the government's medicines supply chain group for their "apparent lack of progress" in improving stock-control measures, C+D has learned.
The group – set up in 2010 to tackle the problem of branded-medicines shortages – met five times last year, a freedom of information request by C+D has revealed. In two meetings members levelled criticism at the imposition of quotas by pharmaceutical manufacturers and lack of action from the Association of British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), minutes from the Department of Health (DH) showed.
Members, which include representatives from the NPA, BMA and MHRA, first raised concerns over the "burdensome" quota system in last year's September meeting. At the time, the ABPI stressed the need for quotas to maintain the supply of some branded medicines, but pledged to develop best-practice guidance on how manufacturers should manage the issue, which would require legal advice.
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"The primary cause of branded medicine shortages is the legal diversion of supply intended for UK patients to other European countries by a small number of pharmacists and wholesalers" Stephen Whitehead, ABPI |
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Two months later, members voiced concerns over the lack of progress in developing the guidance. The DH piled further pressure on manufacturers by arguing that the "quick wins" of improving quotas and emergency supply arrangements should be the initial priority in tackling shortages. But an ABPI representative argued that delivering medicines within 24 hours and holding buffer stock could "open the floodgates" to medicines export. |
Sign C+D's petition to sort out stocksHowever, 90 per cent of pharmacists said they would like to see greater transparency in quota arrangements in response to the C+D Stocks Survey 2012. Three quarters of the 302 respondents to the question also suggested wholesalers should create buffer stocks of medicines.
The ABPI remained defiant that tackling exports was the priority and told C+D it was the "real problem at the heart of the supply chain". "The primary cause of branded medicine shortages is the legal diversion of supply intended for UK patients to other European countries by a small number of pharmacists and wholesalers," said ABPI chief executive Stephen Whitehead.
The ABPI said it expected best-practice guidance to be ready by the middle of the year, and voiced support for simplifying quota systems "where practical".
Another member of the government's supply chain group, the British Association of Pharmaceutical Wholesalers (BAPW), said pharmacists' lives could be made "much easier" by publishing best-practice guidance on managing quotas. "Quotas need to be better understood and, if they are managed properly, then the supply chain can work better," BAPW executive director Martin Sawer told C+D.
The comments come after the C+D Stocks Survey 2012 revealed manufacturers were failing to meet government guidelines – which say pharmacists should receive medicines within 24 hours of ordering – in at least six in every 10 cases.
More than 40 per cent of pharmacists typically had to wait three days for an emergency supply from manufacturers and 17 per cent of readers typically waited for more than four days.
C+D Stocks Survey 2012 results
How often do you receive medicines within 24 hours of ordering them?
Most of the time 14%
Quite often 43%
Hardly ever 43%
What action would you like to see resolve stock shortages?
Quota arrangements changed or made more transparent 90%
Wholesalers' to hold buffer stocks 82%
Government set up a clear timetable for a resolution to the problem 66%
Better collaborative working between the DH, MHRA and supply chain members 61%
Public service obligations should be imposed on the supply chain 59%
Supply chain guidance should be made legally enforceable 31%
Other 18%
Source: C+D Stocks Survey 2012, Dec 2012-Jan 2013, 371 respondents
Supply chain meetings: the timeline
July 3, 2012 NPA raises concerns over pharmacists not being able to obtain a reasonable level of stock. ABPI reports manufacturers have taken on more staff to manage delivery times and contingency supply arrangements. It names the use of private prescriptions to obtain additional stock as a "significant issue".
September 10, 2012 Members discuss whether quotas can be simplified to reduce burden on pharmacies and dispensing doctors. ABPI pledges to develop best practice guidance on quotas and buffer stock "as quickly as possible". But it stresses quotas are necessary to maintaining medicines supply and voices concerns that 24-hour delivery and buffer stocks could "open the floodgates to medicines export".
November 21, 2012 Members voice concern over "apparent lack of progress" in developing ABPI best practice guidance. The DH says it is important to focus on "quick wins" in tackling stock shortages such as improving quotas and emergency supply arrangements.
Source – Minutes of three meetings held by supply chain group held on July 3 2012, September 10 2012, November 21 2012
Battling with stock shortages? Sign our petition
C+D has launched a petition as part of its Sort Out Stocks campaign, calling for the government to accept that a shortage in prescription medicines is still a problem for both pharmacists and patients in the UK. Pharmacists can back the campaign and sign the petition here.
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