Crisis Deepens: Greater Manchester Faces 'Worst Medicine Shortages on Record'

Patients across Greater Manchester are facing the severe repercussions of what experts are calling the worst medicine shortages ever witnessed in the United Kingdom. TV Pharmacist Thorrun Govind, based in Manchester, has highlighted the profound impact these shortages are having on both patients and pharmacy teams, particularly for individuals who rely on essential medicines.

A critical example is Creon, a vital drug used for pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy that aids in food digestion and nutrient absorption. The shortage of Creon has now become the longest-running medicine scarcity on record in Britain. Ms Govind emphasized to the Manchester Evening News that for patients taking Creon, it is not merely about controlling symptoms, but about enabling basic bodily functions. Being unable to secure an adequate supply can have devastating effects on a person's health and quality of life.

This alarming situation is underscored by the Department of Health's decision to extend Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) for both Creon and the hormone replacement therapy (HRT) medicine Estradot until early 2027. SSPs are crucial mechanisms that allow pharmacists to dispense specified alternative medications when the prescribed ones are in short supply. The protocol for Creon has been active since May 2024, with Estradot's following suit since December 2024.

Olivier Picard, chair of the National Pharmacy Association (NPA), expressed profound dismay over the extensions, describing the situation as "deeply depressing." He noted that Creon and Estradot have now acquired the "unhappy title" of Britain’s longest-running medicine shortages. Picard reported on October 2 that pharmacies continue to observe patients being compelled to skip meals or travel considerable distances to locate supplies of Creon.

The NPA chair issued a strong call for the new Secretary of State to urgently convene a taskforce. This taskforce, he urged, should bring together all facets of the supply chain to comprehensively address the issue. Picard reiterated the NPA's long-standing warning that supply problems, while frustrating, pose a serious risk to patient safety. He also demanded the prompt publication of the outcome from the government's consultation on allowing pharmacies to make substitutions to prescriptions when a specific medicine is unavailable, thereby preventing patients from having to return to their GP.

Ms Govind acknowledged that formal protocols can assist pharmacists in managing shortages, but cautioned that there can be a significant delay between a medicine becoming unavailable and the introduction of such protocols. She strongly advised patients not to wait until their medication has completely run out before seeking assistance. Pharmacy teams, she added, are dedicating substantial time and effort to sourcing medicines, managing alternatives, and guiding patients through these disruptions, and they require patient support and understanding during this stressful period.

Experts have previously highlighted the UK's vulnerability due to its heavy reliance on imported medicines, making supplies susceptible to international disruptions, manufacturing issues, and geopolitical tensions. Health leaders warned in June that the shortages were among the most severe ever experienced in the country, with pharmacists and GPs consistently reporting difficulties in obtaining commonly prescribed medicines, including painkillers, blood pressure drugs, and epilepsy medication.

A survey conducted by the NPA revealed that a staggering 96 percent of pharmacies believe these shortages pose a serious risk to patient safety. Furthermore, 83 percent of pharmacies reported experiencing abuse or anger from patients because a prescribed medicine was not available. Despite these grave concerns, NHS leaders have consistently advised patients to continue ordering repeat prescriptions as normal and explicitly cautioned against stockpiling medicines.