Confidential government documents reveal names of 209 medicine shortages in 2019

[helvella]

Thought this is possibly interesting. We might all have our views on why this is the situation. Please do not make specifically political points. Any such will be removed and posters might be restricted.

Confidential government documents reveal names of 209 medicine shortages in 2019

The Pharmaceutical Journal

23 JAN 2020 By Carolyn Wickware

Exclusive: The Pharmaceutical Journal has obtained information from government updates about 209 medicine products that faced supply issues in 2019, including ten medicines that faced stock issues for at least ten months.

pharmaceutical-journal.com/...

(You might have to sign up to view the site - I really do not know.)

[Treepie]

I suspect globalisation of ingredient production, tablet production, packaging and distribution through wholesalers who may well divert supplies to get the highest price is a large part of the problem.

[Hidden]

I was unable to get migraine tablets Migril, (not commonly used but the only one that works for me) for many months. Apparently there were production problems at factory level. But that was a year or two ago, and they were in stock when reordered a few weeks ago. Thankfully I don't need them often now, and half a tablet is usually enough.