Press Release: APPG Pharmacy Medicines Shortages Survey

All Party Parliamentary Group on Pharmacy Launches Inquiry into Medicines Shortages

London, UK, 17th December 2024: The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Pharmacy has today announced the launch of an inquiry into the impact of medicines shortages in England, the contributing factors and potential solutions. As part of this inquiry, the APPG is today issuing a call for written evidence from key stakeholders across the healthcare sector.

This inquiry comes in response to the growing concerns surrounding medicines shortages and its impact on patient care in the UK, including pharmacy teams’ ability to dispense medicines in a timely way. The issue was highlighted in the Health and Social Care Select Committee's pharmacy inquiry report published prior to the general election, as well as more recently by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s  ‘Medicines shortages: Solutions for Empty Shelves’ report. The APPG aims to build on these findings and develop practical recommendations to address this ongoing challenge and its impact.

The written call for evidence is open to all those impacted by medicines shortages including pharmacists and pharmacy teams, GPs and prescribers, patient groups, professional organisations and medicines manufacturers and distributors.

Submissions will form a crucial part of the APPG's wider inquiry, which will also include oral evidence sessions scheduled for early next year.

Steve Race MP, Chair of the APPG on Pharmacy, emphasised the importance of this inquiry:

"Medicines shortages have become an increasingly pressing issue, significantly impacting patient care and placing immense strain on our healthcare system and in particular community pharmacies. Recent data shows that 20% of patients in England face difficulties accessing their medicines due to supply chain shortages 1

“This inquiry is vital in understanding the full scope of the problem and, more importantly, in developing practical recommendations to Government to address medicines shortages and their impact. We urge all relevant parties to contribute their insights and experiences, as this will be instrumental in shaping the APPG’s inquiry and efforts to ensure patients can access the medicines they need when they need them."

Key areas the inquiry aims to address include:

  1. The root causes of medicines shortages

  2. The impact on patient care and health outcomes

  3. The strain on pharmacy teams and other healthcare professionals

  4. Potential solutions and policy recommendations

Submission Details:

About the APPG on Pharmacy: 

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Pharmacy was established in December 1999. It aims to foster cross-party discussions on key issues affecting pharmacy, patients, and the NHS. The group works to highlight the importance of community led services and advocate for policies that support the community pharmacy sector.

All-Party Parliamentary Groups are informal groups of Members of both Houses with a common interest in particular issues. The views expressed in these webpages are those of the group. The All-Party Pharmacy Group receives financial support from: The Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies, the Company Chemists Association, the National Pharmacy Association, Community Pharmacy England and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. Secretariat functions are provided by M+F Health.

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