Ministers move to protect HRT
Drugs crisis at chemists sees treatment that can transform women’s lives put on list of 27 medicines banned for export
‘Perfect storm in supply chain’
DRUG wholesalers were last night banned from exporting hormone replacement therapy abroad in an attempt to tackle worsening shortages in the UK.
The Government imposed a blanket ban on the export of 27 types of medication, including all HRT drugs, epipens and some bloodthinning pills. It means drugs in short supply will have to be given to patients in the UK, rather than sold abroad for higher profit.
It is the first time such an extreme measure has been taken, and follows warnings that pharmacists are ‘barely coping’ due to shortages in every category of medicine.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock yesterday thanked the Daily Mail for revealing the extent of the HRT crisis as he announced the unprecedented Government intervention.
Mr Hancock said: ‘The new measures we’re introducing today will help us ensure patients get the medicines they need and I want to thank the Daily Mail for campaigning on this issue.
‘I know how distressing medicine shortages can be for those who rely on drugs like HRT and I’m determined to do everything I can so patients can always access safe and effective treatments through the NHS. These measures will help us deal with any shortages.’
The new rules apply to 19 types of HRT and cover a further eight medicines, including all epipens, Hepatitis B vaccines, the contraceptive pill Levonorgestrel and Rivaroxaban, which prevents blood clots. Currently pharmaceutical wholesalers based in Britain are allowed to sell their products abroad and the fall in the value in the pound means they can get higher prices on the continent. But now any company which exports HRT or other restricted drugs face punishment by the medicines watchdog.
The ban comes after the Mail campaigned for action to address the HRT crisis, which is hitting hundreds of thousands of women and forcing some to travel abroad to buy drugs.
HRT is delivered in patches, tablets or gels and provides the oestrogen that the body stops producing during menopause. Up to one million women take the medication every year, with around 360,000 prescriptions dispensed every month.
Dr Edward Morris, of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said: ‘We welcome this new approach to tackling HRT shortages. While the situation appears to be improving, we are aware that some women across the UK are still having difficulty accessing HRT products due to these ongoing manufacturing and supply issues.’
Although HRT has been the worstaffected by recent shortages, an investigation this week revealed that pharmacists have run out of all 36 major categories of medicines in recent months.
The mass shortages have been caused by a ‘perfect storm’ of manufacturing problems in the global supply chain. Six in ten pharmacists say they are struggling to get hold of epilepsy medication and experts believe the shortages are putting patients’ lives at risk.
Can I ask for alternative drugs?
Yes. If your pharmacist does not have the medication that you have been prescribed they will ask your GP to authorise a switch to an alternative. This usually means a wait of a few days. Earlier this year, emergency rules were introduced to speed up this process in some cases. If the Government announces that a certain drug falls into a ‘serious shortage protocol’ – as with some HRT and blood pressure medications – then pharmacists are allowed to use their knowledge to dispense alternatives without having to consult a GP each time.
Should I try other chemists?
It’s worth trying other local chemists to see if they have supplies. The Royal College of GPs recommends that you ask your pharmacist if the shortage is a national or local problem. If it is local you can try elsewhere. Laura Buckley, a pharmacist in Yorkshire, said: ‘I know of patients desperately driving
to different pharmacies, travelling outside of towns to obtain medicines and fearing for their next month’s prescription.’ Waiting lists do not formally exist, but the Royal College of GPs says this may change. The National Pharmacy Association advises patients who take regular prescribed medicines to order repeats before their current supply runs out. Can I get more pills before I run out?
Most medications can only be supplied to cover patients for several weeks in advance. Your GP cannot prescribe medications to be stockpiled. However, according to the Royal College of GPs, it is always sensible to plan ahead and try to ensure you have renewed your regular prescription at least a few weeks before you are due to run out.
Can I pay for my drugs privately?
No. The supply problems affect medication across the board. Therefore, all healthcare centres, pharmacists and hospitals – regardless of whether they are NHS or private – will be experiencing the same issues. Experts warn against buying medication on the internet even if the website appears to be legitimately based in the UK and properly controlled.
Are some areas hit worse than others?
No. In general it is a nationwide issue. Most local pharmacies now have commercial deals with multiple wholesalers, so if only one wholesaler is experiencing problems, they can get past this by using other national suppliers.
When will the crisis be resolved?
Nothing on the horizon suggests things will get better – the fundamental underlying causes involve manufacturing problems in countries on the other side of the world.