“Mark Samuels, Chief Executive of the British Generic Manufacturers Association, said: “This is a comprehensive and welcome study into the root causes of medicines shortages and the significant impact they are having on patients’ well-being - both physical and mental. It also rightly examines the pressures shortages cause to pharmacists who are the front line of dispensing and directly dealing with the impact.
“As an association, we have for some time tracked and highlighted the sustained high levels of medicines shortages the UK is experiencing for which they are many reasons. These include the absence of dedicated policies targeted at the off-patent sector which fulfils four out of five NHS prescriptions. For example, we would like to see more done to encourage the UK manufacturing base which would mean domestic responses to shortages could be more flexible and nimbler. It is heartening to see these points echoed in the report and part of the recommendations.
“Crucially in our view, the report highlights the need for all organisations involved in the supply of medicines to patients to collaboratively engage with solutions which will make a difference. We welcome the rigour and renewed emphasis on this critical issue the report will create and stand ready to play our part in any joint initiatives which may be forthcoming such as the creation of a national strategy.”
ENDS
For further information about the BGMA please contact Jeremy Durrant on 07792918648 or email Jeremy.durrant@britishgenerics.co.uk
“Despite being intrinsic to the health and well-being of our nation, the generic and biosimilar medicine sector has been largely ignored from a policy perspective. The EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement has hurt the UK’s medicines supply resilience, adding regulatory and logistical complexity to an industry that relies on simplicity to survive. Our sector supplies the NHS with high volumes of medicines but with razor-thin margins. Throw in a volatile Government pricing system over the past five years alongside a doubling of domestic regulatory delays, then the UK is becoming an increasingly unattractive market for international companies.”
Mark Samuels, chief executive of the BGMA
“The success of the UK’s off-patent market has long been envied, but the huge progress achieved is being undermined by a policy vacuum that prioritises new medicines only. New treatments are incredibly important, but we cannot ignore the established medicines, which represent the vast majority of prescription products taken every day by patients. We must act to prevent the possibility of the UK becoming a backwater market regarding medicines supply and the consequences that means for us all in accessing vital treatments.”
Mark Samuels, chief executive of the BGMA