Shortages of Medicines...

Medicines shortages continue to infuriate pharmacists, and the general public.
 
As I've said before, contractors are sometimes struggling to obtain simple medicines and often, when they get them, these products are priced way above the Drug Tariff. The traditional system to help sort this out NCSO simply wasn't designed to deal with this sort of problem...and individual contractors are losing a lot of money...
 
So, why all the shortages in the first place you may ask? A good question...I'll try to answer it below...
 
Historically there was always an adequate supply of medication in the system, but fluctuation in sterling exchange rates, direct to pharmacy schemes etc have caused major problems. It's an international problem because medicines are a commodity and are sometimes very cheap - (some might argue too cheap?) leading to manufacturers leaving the market...and monopolies can form. Occasionally these monopolies are hidden; for example there is only ONE global supplier of Temazepam raw material! Additional problems for contractors can occur once shortages are apparent, stockpiling leads to price rising and yet more shortages...
 
Overall, the impact nationally on shortages will be picked up, but individual contractors are suffering.
 
We need a solution that is evidence based and that works.
 
NCSO wasn't meant to deal with the type of long term problems we have now - and contractors are urged to let PSNC know if prices are too high - so that appropriate action can be taken.

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