Shortages spell short fuses at pharmacies
PHARMACISTS in Halton are grappling with a nationwide medications shortage boiling over into verbal abuse directed at their staff.
Farnworth Village Pharmacy and Hale Village Pharmacy have been struggling to obtain stock relating to issues including hormone replacement therapy, epilepsy, acne and contraception including high street brands Beechams, Calpol and Gaviscon and more generic products such as paracetamol.
Underlying issues include staff shortages in the supply chain, rising costs and the UK’s exit from the European Union.
A spokesman for the stores said supply issues have hit the sector nationwide, with pharmacists spending more time trying to source medication from wholesalers or other pharmacies but “ultimately can’t get hold of them”.
He said that wholesalers often don’t have enough staff in warehouses or depots to pick the meds, nor enough drivers.
Where Farnworth and Hale staff would usually place an order for delivery on the next run, more recently they have experienced missing and incorrect tote boxes and supplies, whether too little or too much of a particular product.
The spokesman said this creates extra work and stress for staff, who have to spend time creating credit notes.
He said: “But it is ultimately the patient who suffers in the end.
“Unable to receive the medication they need, many patients become angry and direct abuse at pharmacy staff.
“Though still a sensitive subject, Brexit has exacerbated the situation.
“With workers returning to their countries of origin, there are no longer enough people available to work these difficult jobs at wholesaler depots and distribution centres.”
A spokesperson for Farnworth
Village Pharmacy said: “The pharmaceutical sector has been affected by rising costs of raw materials, staff resources, fuel and energy, but this is true of all industries.
“Furthermore, the impact of Brexit on these rising costs cannot be understated.”