20 organisations call on Wes Streeting to create medicine shortages strategy

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) in England and 19 other organisations have written to health secretary Wes Streeting, calling for a cohesive
cross-government strategy to tackle medicine shortages across the UK.

The letter stresses the need for actions to build supply chain resilience, support UK manufacturing, improve data connectivity, protect access to life-critical
medicines, and reduce duplication across the NHS.

As the government works on its 10-Year NHS Plan, the signatories emphasise the importance of ensuring patients’ continued access to vital medicines, which are β€œan
investment in their health.”

They underscore that the strategy would require engagement by the government across the NHS and the whole of the medicines supply chain, including manufacturers,
suppliers, health professions, and patients.

The letter also highlights that delays in accessing medicines could be reduced by changing legislation to empower community pharmacists to make minor amendments to
prescriptions when shortages occur.