Medicine shortages in England: 20% of patients face delays in obtaining prescriptions

Many patients are forced to seek alternative services such as a GP or urgent care due to medicine shortages  

The growing issue of medicine shortages is posing significant challenges for both patients and pharmacy teams across the UK.

According to new data from the Office for National Statistics, 20 per cent of adults who used pharmacy prescription services in the last 28 days experienced delays in receiving their medications.

The survey, Experiences of NHS healthcare services in England, revealed that over 13 per cent of patients had to return to the same pharmacy at a later time to obtain their prescriptions.

Many patients were forced to visit multiple pharmacies or seek alternative services such as a GP or urgent care due to medicine shortages.

Pharmacy teams were added with extra burden to manage and resolve these issues.

Despite these challenges, 85 per cent of patients expressed satisfaction with pharmacy services, reflecting the dedication and value of pharmacists and pharmacy teams in the community.

James Davies, Director for England at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS), acknowledged that medicine shortages have grown substantially in recent years, placing a significant strain on both patients and pharmacy staff.

He said: "Patients rightly expect that when they are prescribed a medicine, they will receive it without undue delay.

“It’s thanks to the dedication and hard work of pharmacy teams that many of these problems are being addressed quickly, often by the next day.”

The survey also found that of those who faced difficulties obtaining their NHS prescriptions, 13.4 per cent had the issue resolved the same day, 28.5 per cent by the next day, 36.1 per cent within three to four days, 8.3 per cent after six days or later, and 13.6 per cent waited seven days or more for resolution.

Davies emphasised the urgent need for systemic reforms to tackle the root causes of supply chain issues.

"We urge manufacturers, wholesalers and the government to work together to improve the supply chain.”

Additionally, he advocated legal changes to allow pharmacists in England to make minor amendments to prescriptions.

“This would enable patients to access their medicines more quickly without needing to return to their GP,” he said.

“Changes are urgently needed to ensure patients receive their medications promptly and to reduce the strain on the whole of the NHS caused by medicine shortages,” he concluded.