Pharmacies in short supply of medicines

Brexit has contributed to a shortage of some medicines at UK pharmacies as the number of in-demand drugs subsidised by the UK government reached a record high, it is claimed.

Supply issues partly blamed on Brexit planning and contingency have caused an official list of “concession” priced medicines to reach its longest since 2014, when it was first introduced. The Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC), which draws up the list, said Britain’s exit from the EU coupled with manufacturers’ views of the country as a “less attractive market” had caused the “significant” problems.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DOHSC) admitted it was managing some supply issues, but said there was “no evidence” they were caused by Brexit.

Some 96 medicines now appear on the concessions list, including the common painkiller Naproxen and some morphine products prescribed to cancer patients. PSNC chief executive Simon Dukes said: “Community pharmacies are reporting increasing problems sourcing some generic medicines.”