Health charities, patients and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) in Scotland have urged governments across the UK to work together to address medicines shortages.

A new report from the RPS has been backed by patient groups and charities in its calls for a national strategy to both prevent and manage medicine shortages.

James Davies, Director at RPS and co-author of the report, said a new approach on drug supply shortages is essential:

“Taking a new approach to medicine shortages is essential.

“A properly resourced UK-wide medicines shortages strategy that helps prevent and manage shortages would greatly improve the resilience of the supply chain.

“This would relieve stress and anxiety for patients and free up time for pharmacists to focus on patient care rather than constantly chasing down supplies.”

The report ‘Medicine Shortages: solutions for empty shelves’ details how complex, global medicine supply chains have seen manufacturing problems and disruptions lead to shortages.

It says these have been compounded by cost-driven pressures and spikes in demand from shifting prescribing practices and increased diagnoses to create a “perfect storm” of unstable medicines supply.

As a result, some patients are struggling to access treatment they need, leaving them frustrated, anxious and, in some cases, harmed.

The Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (the ALLIANCE) said:

“Medicine shortages cause distress and risk the health and wellbeing of people who rely on them to live well.

“Evidence suggests that people currently affected include those living with long-term conditions like diabetes and epilepsy, and women using hormone replacement therapy to manage the symptoms of menopause.

“We have heard concerning reports of people facing the prospect of going without vital medication or being offered less suitable alternatives as a result of shortages.”

This comes after GPs shared their ‘moral distress’ over the drug shortage crisis, with almost 9 in 10 saying the medicine shortages are severely hampering their ability to practice safely.

Medicines supply issues have impacted patients spanning from those with ADHD to cystic fibrosis, diabetes and epilepsy, leading to deteriorating physical and mental health with ADHD patients rationing their medicines.

With the report coming just after the UK Budget and ahead of the Scottish Budget for 2025/26, RPS Scotland calls for investment in the workforce and resources to manage shortages.

The RPS Scotland says the Scottish government should work with its UK counterparts to streamline efforts across the NHS and reduce inefficiencies in medicines prescribing and supply.

It also calls for work to ensure patients and staff across the NHS have information on shortages as soon as possible to enable any necessary shifts in treatment plans.

Meanwhile, it says governments must improve data-sharing between the NHS, manufacturers and wholesalers to enable effective planning in primary and secondary care, and better demand predictions.

The report also highlights a need to improve the medicines manufacturing infrastructure across the UK, particularly for generic medicines which account for 80% of medicines prescribed in the NHS.

Bruce Warner, Chair of the advisory group for the report, said better collaboration to deliver changes is of “critical” importance:

“Better collaboration across the whole medicines supply chain is needed and improving early reporting of shortages by manufacturers to the Department of Health and Social Care is of critical importance.

“Prompt notice of a supply problem allows time to act, find solutions and produce clear guidance, meaning health professionals are fully informed and patients are saved from delays and confusion that can cause distress and harm to health.”

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