27 Jan 2010
On national radio today Ian Facer, Chairman of the National Pharmacy Association, reiterated to Mike O’Brien MP, Health Minister that the NPA is very keen to work with him to resolve the issues currently affecting the pharmacy supply chain.
Ian, and community pharmacist Linda Bracewell from Accrington, explained to listeners on BBC Radio 4’s ‘You and Yours’ programme that medicines shortages have been the result of a complex mix of factors including changes in the wholesale supply as well as exports, and that community pharmacies of all sizes have been affected.
Ian reassured patients that pharmacists can still get their medicines, although in some cases it has taken longer than they would have liked.
The Minister supported this by emphasising that there were localised problems with particular products not a national shortage of all medicines.
Both the Government and the NPA have published guidance that everyone involved in the supply of medicines should follow to comply with the legal and ethical guidelines.