Patients in Greater Manchester are feeling the impact of what experts have called the worst medicine shortages ever seen in the UK, a pharmacist has warned.
TV Pharmacist Thorrun Govind, based in Manchester, said shortages were affecting both patients and pharmacy teams, with people relying on certain essential medicines facing particular challenges.
For example, shortages of Creon - a drug used as pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy to help people digest food and absorb nutrients - have now become the longest-running medicine shortage on record in Britain.
Pharmacist's warning
Ms Govind told the Manchester Evening News: "In Manchester, we are seeing the impact of these shortages on patients and pharmacy teams."
"For patients taking Creon it is not simply a medicine that controls symptoms. Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy helps people digest food and absorb nutrients, so being unable to obtain an adequate supply can have a real impact."
Her warning comes after the Department of Health extended Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) for Creon and the hormone replacement therapy (HRT) medicine Estradot until early 2027.
Protocols extended
SSPs allow pharmacists to provide specified alternatives when medicines are in short supply. The protocol for Creon has been in place since May 2024, while Estradot's has been in place since December 2024.
Olivier Picard, chair of the National Pharmacy Association (NPA), described the extension as "deeply depressing", saying Creon and Estradot had been given the "unhappy title" of Britain's longest-running medicine shortages on record.
He said on Friday (October 2) that pharmacies were continuing to report patients being forced to skip meals or travel "many miles" to find supplies of Creon.
Alarm call to government
He added: "This must act as an alarm call to the new Secretary of State to convene a taskforce to fully grasp this issue, bringing together all aspects of the supply chain."
"We have been clear for many years that although supply problems are frustrating to both patients and pharmacies, they can also present a serious risk to patient safety."
"The government should also urgently publish the outcome of its consultation on allowing pharmacies to make substitutions to a prescription, where there is a shortage of a particular medicine, rather than a patient having to potentially having to go back to their GP."
Ms Govind said formal protocols could help pharmacists manage shortages, but warned there could be a delay between a medicine becoming unavailable and protocols being introduced.
She urged patients not to wait until they had completely run out of their medication before seeking help.
She added: "Pharmacy teams are spending significant time trying to source medicines, manage alternatives and help patients navigate disruption."
"We ask for patient support and recognise that this is a stressful situation for patients to be dealing with."
Wider concerns
Experts have previously warned the UK's reliance on imported medicines leaves supplies vulnerable to international disruption, manufacturing problems and geopolitical tensions.
Health leaders warned in June that shortages were among the "most severe" ever seen in the country, with pharmacists and GPs reporting increasing problems obtaining commonly prescribed medicines including painkillers, blood pressure drugs and epilepsy medication.
The NPA said 96 per cent of pharmacies surveyed believed shortages posed a serious risk to patient safety, while 83 per cent had experienced abuse or anger from patients because a prescribed medicine wasn't available.
Despite the concerns, NHS leaders have consistently advised patients to continue ordering repeat prescriptions as normal and not to stockpile medicines.
