Category: News

Supplies of many prescription medicines could run out ‘within weeks’

Community pharmacists have issued a stark warning that shortages and skyrocketing prices of many medicines could result in pharmacies being unable to supply important prescription medicines to patients.

The sector has said it is already seeing the price of buying medicines from wholesalers rise exponentially for many products, with shortages now common across many medicines. It is warning that some patients may not be able to get the medicines they need in the coming weeks. 

If left to deteriorate without Department of Health intervention, community pharmacists have said they will no longer be able to afford to pay for commonly prescribed drugs used to treat health conditions including osteoporosis, high blood pressure, insomnia, mental health and coronary conditions.

Community Pharmacy NI has called on the Department of Health to support community pharmacists to meet the additional price rises and ensure medicine supplies to patients can be maintained.

David McCrea, Community Pharmacist at Dundela Pharmacy, Belfast said:

“As a community pharmacist for over 30 years, I have never witnessed the price of medicines rise this sharply. It is becoming increasingly hard for us to afford to buy the medicines from wholesalers because we are not being paid the full cost of these drugs by the Department.

“I have seen the price of some medicines I need to buy for patients rising fiftyfold, but the Department only paying a fraction of what I am being charged. With the shortages and price increases affecting hundreds of drugs I simply cannot afford to operate under the current model. It is causing financial stress, my credit limits with wholesalers are being breached, and it is simply unsustainable.

“First and foremost, we must now be paid properly for the cost of these medicines by the Department. The bottom line is that we are now facing the situation where we will not be able to afford to supply our patients with essential medicines, within weeks.”

Gerard Greene, Chief Executive of Community Pharmacy NI said:

“The skyrocketing price of medicines that we are currently experiencing requires an immediate response from the Department. Community pharmacists cannot afford the increasing prices, particularly when the service is dealing with more patients. In addition to the excessive costs, pharmacy teams are spending hours every day sourcing medicines when they could be using their clinical skills to directly support their patients.

“The community pharmacy network has a responsibility to ensure patient safety at all times, and the threat to the supply of vital medicines is very real. It is incumbent upon us to now warn people of the risk to medicine supply for many drugs and to ask the public to understand that pharmacies are doing their best under impossible circumstances.

“Fundamentally, the source of the issue is that Northern Ireland does not have a workable Drug Tariff for dispensing medicines, and we have made repeated representations to the Department of Health (NI) requesting a change to these arrangements and to get a payment system that reflects the specific circumstances of Northern Ireland.

“It is a fact that community pharmacies regularly pay suppliers more for medicines than they get back from the Department. The critical drug supply issue we are now facing shows that the Department must reform the funding structures for community pharmacy in Northern Ireland. We need an immediate injection of funding to help pharmacists deal with these pricing issues, as well as a properly funded community pharmacy contract going forward”

Notes to editor

An example of some of the drugs that are impacted include:

• Alendronic Acid 70mg tablets (Osteoporosis).
• Lercanidipine tablets (Blood pressure)
• Fluoxetine 20mg capsules (Anti-depressants)
• Esomeprazole tablets (Gastric disorders e.g. ulcers)
• Finasteride tablets (prostate conditions).

A new campaign has been launched in community pharmacies across Northern Ireland raising awareness of the signs and symptoms of cancer to help with early diagnosis.

‘Spot Cancer Early’ is running in community pharmacies as part of the Living Well service. It highlights the role of pharmacy teams in providing advice and support, and encourages people who may be experiencing possible cancer symptoms to talk to their GP.

Living Well is offered in over 500 pharmacies across Northern Ireland and provides information and advice on public health issues. It is delivered in partnership with the Public Health Agency (PHA), Community Pharmacy NI (CPNI), and the Department of Health (DoH).

Dr Louise Herron, Consultant in Service Development and Screening at the PHA, said:

“The earlier cancer is diagnosed, the greater the chances of survival as treatment is more likely to be successful. Changes to your body’s normal processes or unusual, unexplained symptoms can sometimes be an early sign of cancer. It’s important to be body aware and take action if you notice any unusual changes.

“Spotting cancer early could save your life.”

The Living Well campaign, which will run throughout September and October, is supporting the recently launched ‘Spot Cancer Early’ mass media campaign by Cancer Research UK (CRUK), in partnership with the PHA and Northern Ireland Cancer Network (NICaN). The campaign, aimed at the over 50s, urges people to contact their GP practice if they notice a change to their health which is unusual for them or isn’t going away. While cancer can develop at any age, it is much more common in older people. Data indicates that almost 9 in 10 cancer cases in the UK are in people aged 50 or over*.

Living Well also aims to promote healthy changes to help reduce the risk of developing cancer and encourages anyone who needs help to make positive changes to speak to their pharmacist.

Cancer becomes more common as we get older, but whatever your age, it’s always best to listen to your body and act on any concerns. You should contact your GP practice if something doesn’t feel quite right.

“Don’t let fear of what the doctor might find or feelings of embarrassment stop you

from getting checked out.” added Dr Herron.

“We are urging people to get checked early if they have any concerns. It is important for everyone to be aware of warning signs which need to be investigated.”

Kevin McDevitt, Community Pharmacist from Crossin Chemist on the Antrim Road said:

“Community pharmacy is the ideal setting to help encourage people to look after their health by engaging in initiatives such as the ‘Spot Cancer Early’ campaign. Following last year’s Living Well cancer campaign, 36 pharmacies reported patients being diagnosed with cancer, or pre-cancerous cells, requiring emergency consultant care or surgery as a result of their engagement. This underlines the critical role pharmacy teams play in supporting early cancer diagnosis and timely referral.

“As well as advising on how to spot cancer early, pharmacy teams can help support people to make healthy changes that could reduce risk of cancer. The first step is simple, just ask your pharmacist for advice.”

As part of the Living Well campaign, community pharmacies across Northern Ireland are providing free information booklets, Be Cancer Aware – Spotting symptoms and reducing your risk, to members of the public. A copy of this leaflet can be found at www.pha.site/Living-Well  

Below are some things that could be symptoms of cancer.  A fuller list of key signs and signs and symptoms of cancer is available online at www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancer-symptoms

In many cases these symptoms will turn out to be a sign of something far less serious, but if it is cancer, an early diagnosis means treatment is more likely to be successful.

• Persistent cough or shortness of breath;
• Unusual changes to the size, shape or feel of a breast, including nipple or skin changes;
• A change in bowel habit, such as constipation, looser poo or pooing more often;
• Unexplained bleeding in your pee or poo or unexplained vaginal bleeding, including after sex, between periods or after the menopause;
• An unusual lump or swelling anywhere on your body;
• A new mole or changes to a mole;
• Unexplained weight loss;
• An unexplained pain or ache.

In addition to the campaign materials, further information can be found at www.cruk.org/spot-cancer-early-NI

The website supports the cancer awareness campaign and provides information about cancer signs and symptoms, gives advice on getting an appointment with your GP and includes information on cancer screening.

Health Minister Robin Swann has welcomed the roll out of the winter vaccination programme during a visit to Lisadian Private Nursing Home in Hillsborough.

Residents and staff at the home are amongst the first recipients of the winter vaccination that includes the COVID-19 booster and flu vaccine programme.

Over the coming weeks community pharmacies will visit over 450 care homes across Northern Ireland, vaccinating some of our most vulnerable patients who simply couldn’t access a healthcare setting.

The vaccines help to prolong protection already received from initial COVID-19 vaccinations, while the flu vaccine is needed every year as the antibodies that protect you from flu decline over time, and flu strains change from year to year.

Minister Swann said “I am delighted to see this year’s winter vaccination programme get underway, with some of our most vulnerable members of the community getting the opportunity to get vaccinated early in the season.

“COVID-19 and flu are a key factor in causing winter pressures on the health service.  It impacts on those who fall ill, the health services that provide direct care, and on the wider health and social care system.  I would encourage everyone who is eligible, including care home residents and staff, to get vaccinated.”

Flu activity levels have been extremely low globally the last two winters, mainly due to COVID-19 prevention measures. As a result, a lower level of population immunity against flu is expected this year. This coupled with COVID-19, which hasn’t gone away, could potentially result in a real health threat particularly for vulnerable members of our community.

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The Minister was accompanied on his visit by the Department’s Chief Pharmaceutical Officer Cathy Harrison who said: “Vaccines are the most effective way to prevent infectious diseases as they teach our immune system how to recognise and fight viruses. Being vaccinated against both viruses will not only help to protect you and those around you from flu and COVID-19, but will help protect everyone from a potentially devastating double threat this winter.”

Dr Joanne McClean, Director of Public Health at the PHA, said: “As well as care home residents being offered the vaccine this is an invaluable opportunity for care home staff to receive their vaccines too. As frontline health and social care workers they are eligible to get the free COVID-19 and flu vaccine.

“The vaccines offered have been proven to be safe and effective, if staff have questions as well as speaking to the community pharmacist on the day of vaccination we are encouraging care home managers to use the resources available on the PHA vaccine toolkit  to address any questions and promote the vaccine within their homes.”

The PHA and the Department of Health will work with RQIA and community pharmacies to build on the successful relationships forged during the delivery of the spring COVID-19 booster programme in care homes to ensure good uptake of the winter vaccinations this time round.

Michael Cooper, Community Pharmacist “The accessibility and adaptability of the community pharmacy network has really been highlighted throughout the vaccine programme. As a network we are delighted to be able to help bring these vaccinations to some of the most vulnerable people in our communities within their own surroundings and to our colleagues in health and social care. We would encourage everyone to take up the opportunity to get vaccinated when we visit a care home, and should they have any questions we can discuss them through on the day.”

Getting vaccinated is free, quick, and it could make a big difference to your health and the health of those close to you.

The message is clear – if you’re eligible for either the flu vaccine, COVID-19 vaccine or both, take up the offer when invited.

For further information please see the www.nidirect.gov.uk/wintervaccines

The COVID-19 Spring Vaccine Programme to care home patients has been officially completed in Northern Ireland with community pharmacists providing over 83% of doses to those living in care homes.

The programme was aimed at boosting protection for those over 75, care home patients and the severely immunosuppressed against COVID -19 during the early part of 2022.

466 care homes across Northern Ireland were visited by community pharmacy teams to vaccinate patients, with almost 11,000 boosters administered.

Those aged over 75 and the severely immunosuppressed were also eligible to attend their local pharmacy to receive their booster vaccine. Over 7,400 patients received their Spring booster in this way.

Since beginning to deliver COVID-19 vaccines in March 2021, community pharmacies have provided over 365,000 doses to the public. Community Pharmacy NI has commended the pharmacy network for their diligent delivery of the vaccine programme and state that it demonstrates the efficient and high-quality service that can be provided by community pharmacies if the right resource and funding is in place.

Commenting on the completion of the Spring Booster programme, Vice Chair of Community Pharmacy NI and Country Pharmacy Manager at Boots, Marie Smith said:

“As a community pharmacist, I’ve seen daily the benefit of providing the COVID-19 vaccine to those living locally in the community. Community pharmacy is the first choice for many in our neighbourhoods, including the elderly and those preferring not to travel, due to our convenience and the fact that patients know and trust us.

“The flexibility of community pharmacies also meant we were able to go out to care homes and administer the vaccine to some of our most vulnerable patients who simply couldn’t access a healthcare setting. It is a testament to the pharmacy network that over 83% of care home patients were vaccinated by community pharmacists.

“The accessibility and adaptability of the community pharmacy network has really been highlighted throughout the vaccine programme. Adapting overnight to deliver thousands of vaccines, which really did save lives, meant that our society was able to move out of lockdowns and begin to get back to normal life. The vaccine programme only further showcases the good work pharmacies can do when funding and resources are allocated appropriately.”

Care Home Manager at St James’ Lodge Ballymoney, Bronagh Barker added:

“The work of our local pharmacy in delivering the Spring Booster vaccine has really been a weight lifted off everyone’s shoulders. Some of our patients are extremely vulnerable and it has been a concern over how and when they can get vaccinated. To have our local pharmacists, who our staff and patients know and trust, come and deliver the vaccine meant they felt more at ease. This has been a great comfort during this period of concern especially to our families as COVID-19 affects our elderly the most.”

“We would like to thank our local pharmacy team for supporting our patients and providing the Spring vaccine to them.”

The Community Pharmacy Living Well service is launching a new summer campaign on breastfeeding which will run during July and August 2022.

The breastfeeding campaign aims to raise awareness about the importance of breastfeeding, encourage support for breastfeeding mums and help to normalise breastfeeding.

Living Well is offered in over 500 pharmacies and provides information and advice on public health issues. It is delivered in partnership with the Public Health Agency (PHA), Department of Health and Community Pharmacy NI (CPNI).

Dr Hannah Dearie, Senior Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement Officer with PHA, said: “Breastfeeding is a fundamental public health issue because it promotes health, prevents disease in the short and long-term and helps to reduce health inequalities for both mum and baby.

“We know that breastfeeding protects babies from a range of illnesses, including ear and chest infections, gastroenteritis, diabetes, asthma, childhood obesity, as well as cot death (sudden infant death syndrome). It also helps to protect mums from various cancers such as breast and ovarian, and also type 2 diabetes.

“The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that infants are exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life; the longer the duration of breastfeeding the greater the effect on improving the child’s health. While the majority of mothers can breastfeed, we know that making it easier and more supportive for them to do so will help improve breastfeeding rates in Northern Ireland. It is important that mums are provided with accurate information and practical support from their family, their healthcare system and wider society.”

The campaign aims to encourage and target a broad spectrum of the public including:

• breastfeeding mothers, pregnant women and women considering getting pregnant;
• spouses/partners, grandparents (as they are key influencers on a woman’s decision to breastfeed and to continue to breastfeed), family members and friends;
• the general public – community support is needed particularly when breastfeeding mothers are outside the home environment.

In addition to this, the campaign emphasises the ‘Breastfeeding welcome here’ scheme which helps to locate and provide supportive environments for mothers to breastfeed when they’re out and about in public places.

Whilst breastfeeding rates in Northern Ireland have been increasing slowly in recent years, it is really important that we continue to do all we can to encourage more parents to choose breastfeeding for their babies and to ensure that they are supported to do so.

Community pharmacist Edel McMahon added: “Community pharmacies are at the heart of our local communities with the public recognising pharmacists as trusted and accessible healthcare professionals. This makes community pharmacy the ideal setting to help encourage and support mums on their breastfeeding journey.

“Initiatives like the Living Well service aim to help to normalise breastfeeding and provide an alternative support network for breastfeeding mums. We are able to support the wider community in understanding the importance of breastfeeding.

“Whether you need support with breastfeeding or you want to know how you can help support a friend, a colleague or family member on their breastfeeding journey, the first step is simple, just ask your pharmacist for advice.”

For further information please visit www.pha.site/living-well

Cooperation between Northern Ireland’s elected representatives and the community pharmacy network will continue in the new Northern Ireland Assembly term following the re-establishment of the All-Party Group on Community Pharmacy.

The Group, first established in February 2021, will remain as the leading forum for the sharing of ideas, issues, and policy solutions after being formally re-established for the next five years.

Attended by representatives from each of Northern Ireland’s main political parties, the   secretariat and Community Pharmacy NI, it will meet on a regular basis to discuss the role of community pharmacy within Northern Ireland’s communities, primary care system, and the wider health service for the next five-years.

Chair of the All-Party Group on Community Pharmacy, Pam Cameron MLA said:

“I feel privileged to be returned as Chairperson of the All-Party Group on Community Pharmacy. Through the Group, we’ve been able to foster a collaborative working among Assembly colleagues to make progress in a whole range of areas facing patients, the sector and the NHS.

“We know that during this Assembly mandate important decisions will have to be made to future-proof our health service and ensure it runs effectively and sustainably. Community pharmacy will have a pivotal role to play in this, and through the All-Party Group, I look forward to playing a role in driving forward fresh ideas that maximise the network’s potential.”

Chief Executive of Community Pharmacy NI, Gerard Greene said:

“Re-establishing the Assembly’s All-Party Group has been a major priority for us in the past number of months. As we have seen since its inception, the Group is a vital platform for members of the community pharmacy workforce to highlight the current state of play on the ground to MLAs and identify where improvements can be made.

As well as consolidating good working relations, the Group shone a spotlight on some of the key services community pharmacy introduced during the pandemic, including COVID-19 vaccinations and the Emergency Supply Service.

“I look forward to working with the members and progressing policy solutions to address workforce pressures, implementing the commissioning plan for community pharmacy, and identifying ways to integrate the sector in the Department of Health’s transformation agenda.”