NHS running short of life-saving drugs for cancer, heart disease and epilepsy
THE NHS is running short of lifesaving drugs including treatments for cancer, heart conditions and epilepsy, it has emerged.
A 24-page document from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) revealed a shortage of 86 drugs.
The internal document, seen by the , listed 17 new drug shortages, on top of ongoing issues with 69 other medications.
Among the latest stock shortage was treatments for cancer, Parkinson's, mental health problems and some eye conditions.
Antibiotics for tuberculosis, the painkiller diamorphine, hepatitis vaccines and heart condition drugs have also been affected.
It comes just weeks after pharmacists revealed they were suffering shortages of every major type of medicine.
Priorities
The document recommended patients would have to be prioritised over others for some lifesaving drugs.
It also said that in the case of migraine drug Relpax, , patients may have to break tablets in half to make their prescription last longer.
However, it noted that there is "no data on halving or crushing them" to deliver a lower dose.
This situation is absolutely unprecedented
Dr Nick Mann
The DHSC also said that due to the shortages of many licensed medicines, in some cases unlicensed versions may be imported - although "lead times vary".
And while some out-of-stock drugs may have alternatives, many don't plus switching isn't always straightforward or safe, the document stated.
Doing so would require "increased clinical supervision" - another stretch for already hard-pressed doctors.
Drug shortages revealed
The document didn't list all 86 drugs that were running short, however, it did include the following low-stock drugs:
Diamorphine - a painkiller used to treat severe cancer pain.
Document says there was "insufficient stock to cover full forecasted demand in both primary and secondary care".
Anti-epileptic drugs - prevent seizures.
Document says: "Patients should normally be maintained on the same brand. However … will be out of stock … until March 2020".
Relpax - a migraine drug.
Document says doctors should split higher dose tablets in two although "there are no data on halving or crushing them to deliver a 20mg dose".
Procyclidine - a Parkinson's drug out of stock until March 2020.
Document says doctors should "consider sharing remaining stock locally with the support of your regional procurement lead".
Tuberculosis medication - two suppliers are out of stock, a third has some stock 'but is unable to support any uplift in demand'.
Dementia drug - document says doctors should switch to generic or alternative versions of the drug, which could be confusing for patients.
Eye drops - currently out of stock.
Document says the Royal College of Opthalmologists "has provided clinical guidance to support local prioritisation of remaining supplies".
Dr Nick Mann, a GP in Hackney in London, told the Guardian: “This situation is absolutely unprecedented.
"Previously we would have one or two or three drugs that would go offline for a while, but this is something on a different level.
"It is going to render the day-to-day treatments that doctors provide very difficult.”
The internal document from the medicine supply team at the DHSC was circulated to some doctors last Friday, but it's not clear who received it.
'Knife-edge'
Last month, we reported that chemists feel they are "on a knife-edge" and struggling to fulfil prescriptions for customers nationwide.
The crisis has seen GPs flooded with demands for follow-up appointments from patients in need of a script for alternative treatment.
In some cases, doctors have been forced to write generic prescriptions that allow pharmacies to supply any available suitable drug.
But these may be less effective than the preferred medication or have undesirable side-effects, medics warn.
Hormone replacement therapy drugs were most commonly in short supply, with 84 per cent struggling to source them.
Some 67 per cent of pharmacy staff saw shortages of contraceptives and 58 per cent experienced supply issues of antiepileptic drugs.
The Department of Health said at the time: “We fully understand the concerns of those who require medications in their daily lives and want to reassure them we are doing everything appropriate so they can access the medicines they need."
If you have any concerns about your medication, speak to your pharmacist.