Drug companies have been accused of hiking prices amid a rise of Strep A cases - with some pharmacists revealing that they are being charged up to £19 for a single box of drugs which would cost a few pounds.
Pharmacies now say that they are losing thousands of pounds each week, after only being able to recoup a fraction of the fees of what drugs on the NHS truly cost. They are also reportedly revealing struggles stocking highly-sought after antibiotics, with parents being forced to go from pharmacy to pharmacy to find meds for their poorly kids.
In-turn the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is investigating the price of antibiotics.
The PA News Agency reports that the Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies (AIMP) has said the problem is now getting worse and urged the Government to take action. Last week, Health Secretary Steve Barclay said there was no shortage of antibiotics and stock could be moved around if any particular area was experiencing problems with supply.
But on Monday, the Department of Health issued a medicine supply notification for antibiotics for the treatment of Strep A. It said: “Supplies of antibiotics for the treatment of Group A Strep have seen a surge in demand and may be temporarily in limited supply at certain wholesalers and pharmacies.
“Supplies are available with manufacturers, and deliveries into wholesalers and pharmacies are being expedited and are expected in the coming days.”
A CMA spokesperson said: “People have got real concerns about the price of antibiotics used to treat Strep A, and we want companies to be clear about their obligations under the law. There should be no doubt that it is illegal for a dominant company to charge excessive prices, or for any companies to collude to drive up prices.
“We are working to establish the facts of what is currently happening in the market and welcome new information as part of our work. We stand ready to take action if there is evidence of anti-competitive behaviour that breaks the law.”
On Monday, Reena Barai from the National Pharmacy Association said the medicines supply chain was 'broken'. She said the price of some antibiotics has jumped from £2 to £11 in recent weeks and pharmacies have been struggling to meet demand.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: “Manufacturers currently have supplies of antibiotics available to treat Strep A. We continue to work urgently with manufacturers and wholesalers to expedite deliveries, bring forward stock they have to help ensure it gets to where it’s needed and boost supply to meet demand as quickly as possible and support access to these vital medicines.”
It comes as health officials in Wales investigate links between invasive Strep A disease and the death of a child in Powys. Public Health Wales’ Dr Ardiana Gjini said people 'identified for public health action have already been contacted'.
If confirmed, it would take the UK death toll of children with strep A to 17.
Speaking at a webinar for clinicians on Strep A hosted by the Royal Society of Medicine, Professor Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Adviser at the UKHSA, said: “In terms of profiteering, what I’ve heard is that some some potential pharmacy wholesalers may be selling at higher prices, and therefore that’s causing some problems.
“At the end of the day, we have got standard prices for this in this country. And so I think that there may be some ‘behind the backs of doors profiteering’ but not that will affect our patients.”
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