Why are so many medications out of stock?

Results of a recent survey showed that that 54% of UK-based pharmacists said medicines shortages have put patients at risk in the past six months. Why are we so short on medication?

The Pharmaceutical Journal published the survey results in August 2022 - More than half of pharmacists warn medicine shortages have risked patient safety in the past six months Shortages have commonly affected prescriptions for painkillers, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and osteoporosis drugs. However, it is also thought that supplies of palliative care (end of life) medicines and nutritional products (for example vitamin infusions and meal replacement fluids) are short.

The Conversation - Here’s why so many medications are out of stock — and what to do if it affects youexplains that the following factors are linked to this problem:

• The Covid-19 pandemic
• Brexit
• Ukraine conflict
• Over-use of supply routes (such as India)

These all affect supply chain and of course, as medicines become short, the problem becomes compounded by stockpiling and panic buying.