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Written question asked by Marquess of Lothian (Conservative) on Friday, 16 December 2022, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 4 January 2023. It was answered by Lord Markham (Conservative) on Friday, 23 December 2022 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.


Prescription Drugs: Shortages

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to resolve current supply issues limiting the availability of many prescription medicines, including antibiotics for the treatment of Group A Streptococcus; and how many prescription medicines in England currently have longer than average fulfilment times.

Answer

We are continuing to work with manufacturers and wholesalers to accelerate deliveries to address temporary issues with the supply of antibiotics used to treat Group A Streptococcus and meet current demand.

We have introduced eight Serious Shortage Protocols in the United Kingdom for penicillin medicines to mitigate and support fulfilment times and local supply issues. This allows pharmacists to supply alternative forms of the medicine or alternative antibiotics, if the product stated on the prescription is unavailable. Data on fulfilment times for prescription only medicines is not held centrally.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL4376
Session
2022-23
Subjects
Antibiotics Prescription drugs Shortages Streptococcus
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk