Minister in denial over drug shortages

Mark James, group managing director of AAH Pharmaceuticals and Chairman of BAPW, has accused Health Ministers of being “in denial” regarding drugs shortages.

His comments were made following a Government response to written Parliamentary questions from the Conservative MP Margot James. Ms James asked what steps the Government is taking to address delays in the supply of prescribed medicines.

In reply, the Health Minister Simon Burns, stated that, “some shortages and delivery delays are inevitable” and that the Department has, “well established arrangements for dealing with these”.

Mark James said, “If the Department has “well established arrangements” for dealing with shortages what are these? And if they exist why are they not working?

This is a worryingly complacent response which shows no understanding of the scale or seriousness of the problem.

The reality is that the Guidance produced by the Department of Health has had no impact whatsoever: problems with the availability of certain medicines are as bad as ever.

Wholesalers have put forward constructive proposals including amending regulations to reflect new Patient Service Obligations, independent third party monitoring and improved emergency supply arrangements, but we will not make progress unless the Department of Health is willing to play its part”.