Patients receiving 'second choice' drugs because of supply shortages

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/aug/01/patients-second-choice-drugs-supply-shortages

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Fears have been raised that many patients are receiving "second choice" drugs because of supply shortages.

A poll has revealed that more than nine in 10 family doctors have been forced to write prescriptions for medicines that were not their preferred option.

One medic said that they faced a daily struggle to find alternatives to common medicines.

The survey of 635 family doctors by GP magazine found that 93.5% had been forced to prescribe a second-choice drug in the past year because of shortages.

A number reported their patients coming to harm as a result.

When asked whether any patients taking second-choice drugs due to shortages have been negatively affected, including harm or a longer recovery, 7.4% said many times and 28.5% said yes, but rarely.

The magazine said family doctors responding to the poll reported problems with drugs for conditions ranging from conjunctivitis and acne to depression.

Four in five of those questioned said that drug shortages had increased their workload in the last year.

One Scottish GP told the magazine they faced an "almost daily scramble around to find alternatives to common and heavily prescribed medications, and no real alternatives in some cases".

Another family doctor from England told GP magazine: "For some drugs, there is just no equivalent available and patients' treatment is compromised."

A Department of Health spokeswoman said: "We are actively involved in a number of pieces of work to tackle these problems, both at a UK level and at a European and global level."

Katherine Murphy, chief executive of the Patients Association, said: "We are deeply concerned to learn that patients are still being denied access to key medicines. This crisis began several years ago and it would appear that it has still not been resolved. Patient safety is being compromised and we would like to know what the government is doing to address it. "Having access to the medicines prescribed by their doctor is a basic right that all patients should be able to expect. It is appalling that in 21st century Britain, patients are unable to receive even this most basic of services. This is not only dangerous for patients, but also inconvenient for overworked doctors who are frantically trying to find alternatives for their patients."