Source · Select Committees · Health and Social Care Committee
Recommendation 3
3
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 47
Medicine shortages undermine community pharmacy potential and erode public confidence.
Conclusion
Tackling medicine shortages is another vital component in securing the ability of pharmacy to meet its future potential. Medicine shortages cannot be ignored and left to become the norm. The wider implications of medicine shortages for the long- term potential of community pharmacy to take on more clinical work are deeply concerning. The time pharmacy teams are having to spend dealing with shortages is time that they could be spending with patients, and indeed will need to if the clinical role of pharmacists is expanded. Continuing shortages, serious or otherwise, run the risk of eroding public confidence in community pharmacy, with patients frustrated about the service they receive.
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the need for flexibility in dispensing alternative medications and is currently examining options with stakeholders to assess appropriateness and risk management, but provides no specific commitment or timeline for implementing changes.
Paragraph Reference:
47
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The Human Medicines Regulations 2012 (HMRs 2012) require pharmacists to dispense “in accordance with a prescription”. This has been interpreted to mean supply of medicines must be the exact product and quantity prescribed with some limited exceptions. Most prescriptions dispensed are not subject to supply issues and the pharmacist is able to dispense exactly what is written on the prescription. This works well as prescribers have certainty of what their patient is receiving; the clear separation of roles, prescribing and dispensing, supports patient safety, with a double clinical check on dose and interactions; and patients have consistency as to their dosing regimen. Allowing pharmacists to take local action to alter prescriptions and supply an alternative without an SSP in place and without the full oversight of supply issues that the DHSC Medicines Supply Team has, could have the effect of creating a ‘knock-on’ shortage of the alternative and could thereby have the potential to exacerbate rather than mitigate a supply problem. However, we do recognise there may be occasions where it is appropriate to enable further flexibility to supply an alternative dose or formulation to what was prescribed without going back to the prescriber. We are currently examining options with stakeholders, to assess where and how this could be appropriate, and how any associated risks could be managed. As identified by Lord Darzi’s investigation, primary care is under pressure and in crisis. This Government is committed to addressing these issues, better utilising the skills of pharmacists. This includes introducing a prescribing service delivered by community pharmacists as we shift care from hospital to the community.