Drug Shortages Petition
Magazine launches online petition
By Matthew Isom
An online petition has been launched by Chemist and Druggist magazine to bring further attention to the problem of drug shortages.
The petition, in addition to posters, patient leaflets and a shortage reporting app for smart phones have been developed following comments in an interview with Chemist and Druggist by Health Minister, Earl Howe, where he described the Department of Health’s approach to shortages as “working well”.
The Minister’s remarks have provoked a barrage of criticism from pharmacists and their representative organisations. Commenting on the story DDA Chairman, Dr Richard West, said: “whilst I have yet to hear of a case of serious harm to a patient as a result of drug shortages, the problem does cause stress and anxiety to patients and has generated considerable additional workload and cost to practices. Whilst I do not underestimate the scale of the task, the Department of Health needs to redouble its efforts to solve this problem for patients. I would urge practices to sign the online petition and to make use of the materials available on the Chemist and Druggist website.”
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