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The government will restrict exports of key drugs, including those used for hormone replacement therapy (HRT), after manufacturing problems caused medicine shortages in the UK .
HRT stocks will remain in the country until the manufacturing issues are resolved.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has also permitted pharmacists to provide different strengths of fluoxetine, an antidepressant, after most strengths of the drug went out of stock.
“I know how distressing medicine shortages can be for those who rely on drugs like HRT and it’s absolutely crucial patients can always access safe and effective treatments through the NHS,” said Matt Hancock , the Health Secretary.
“Helping the NHS is a priority for this Government, and people should be fully reassured that we will always act to ensure that there is an adequate supply of the medicine you need.”
Show all 40 1 /40Health news in pictures Health news in pictures Coronavirus outbreak The coronavirus Covid-19 has hit the UK leading to the deaths of two people so far and prompting warnings from the Department of Health
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Health news in pictures Vape related deaths spike A vaping-related lung disease has claimed the lives of 11 people in the US in recent weeks. The US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has more than 100 officials investigating the cause of the mystery illness, and has warned citizens against smoking e-cigarette products until more is known, particularly if modified or bought “off the street”
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Health news in pictures Baldness cure looks to be a step closer Researchers in the US claim to have overcome one of the major hurdles to cultivating human follicles from stem cells. The new system allows cells to grow in a structured tuft and emerge from the skin
Sanford Burnham Preybs
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Health news in pictures Cancer breath test to be trialled in Britain The breath biopsy device is designed to detect cancer hallmarks in molecules exhaled by patients
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Health news in pictures Average 10 year old has consumed the recommended amount of sugar for an adult By their 10th birthdy, children have on average already eaten more sugar than the recommended amount for an 18 year old. The average 10 year old consumes the equivalent to 13 sugar cubes a day, 8 more than is recommended
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Health news in pictures Child health experts advise switching off screens an hour before bed While there is not enough evidence of harm to recommend UK-wide limits on screen use, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health have advised that children should avoid screens for an hour before bed time to avoid disrupting their sleep
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Reuters
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Health news in pictures Gay, lesbian and bisexual adults at higher risk of heart disease, study claims Researchers at the Baptist Health South Florida Clinic in Miami focused on seven areas of controllable heart health and found these minority groups were particularly likely to be smokers and to have poorly controlled blood sugar
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Health news in pictures New menopause drugs offer women relief from 'debilitating' hot flushes A new class of treatments for women going through the menopause is able to reduce numbers of debilitating hot flushes by as much as three quarters in a matter of days, a trial has found. The drug used in the trial belongs to a group known as NKB antagonists (blockers), which were developed as a treatment for schizophrenia but have been “sitting on a shelf unused”, according to Professor Waljit Dhillo, a professor of endocrinology and metabolism
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Just Giving
Health news in pictures Government to review thousands of harmful vaginal mesh implants The Government has pledged to review tens of thousands of cases where women have been given harmful vaginal mesh implants.
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Nephron
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PA
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Reuters
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There are currently around 360,000 prescriptions for HRT medicines dispensed every month through the NHS.
The move comes after a poll of pharmacists found most are experiencing shortages of every major type of medicine.
Drugs in short supply including HRT medicines, antidepressants and pills for people living with epilepsy.
The poll suggested 84 per cent of those polled were struggling to obtain HRT drugs.
402 community pharmacists responded to the Chemist and Druggist poll.
Blood pressure medicine, contraceptives, painkillers and skin creams are also circulating in limited supply.
The DHSC said the medicine supply chain “is complex and highly regulated, so problems can arise for a variety of reasons, including manufacturing issues or problems with raw ingredients.”
Last month experts warned that women experiencing the menopause were experiencing profound mental health issues due to the HRT medication shortage.
HRT drugs have become increasingly difficult to obtain since the end of last year, when supply issues that started in China forced some manufacturers to stop producing HRT patches.
This led to heightened demand for alternatives, which then became scarce too.
The situation has worsened in recent weeks.
A total of 19 HRT medicines will be subject to export restrictions. The new rules are meant to stop buyers from purchasing medicines for UK patients and selling them on for a higher price in another country.
Similar measures are already in place in other European countries, including France and Spain.
Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events The UK will also restrict five more medicines, including Hepatitis B vacines and adrenaline auto-injectors.
The DHSC has said there is no evidence Brexit is causing problems with drug supply.
“The decision to take precautionary measures to protect medicines supplies will be very much welcomed by our members,” said Rick Greville, director of supply chain at the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI).
“It means that these stockpiles of medicines which companies have built over previous months are better protected and available for use only by the NHS patients for which they were intended.
“Companies can now work with the department to identify any problem areas.”
Additional reporting by agencies
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