Pharmacies have faced massive price rises for antibiotics (Stock image)
(Picture: PA Wire)Pharmacies are continuing to face “serious issues” in procuring antibiotics amid a spike in demand caused by the spread of Strep A, an industry boss has warned.
Janet Morrison, chief executive of the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee, said many pharmacies were still finding it difficult to source antibiotics from wholesalers despite health chiefs denying there were shortages.
An unseasonably early rise in Strep A infections among schoolchildren has increased demand for penicillin and amoxicillin, the main antibiotic treatments. A total of 16 children have died from invasive Group A streptococcal infection (iGAS) in recent weeks, prompting health officials to lower the prescription threshold for both drugs and driving up demand.
Sir Stephen Powis, medical director of NHS England, said on Sunday that wholesalers had “plenty of antibiotics” and that the supply chain was working “really well”.
But Ms Morrison said that pharmacies were continuing to face “serious issues with supply”, with wholesale prices also massively exceeding the compensation they receive from the NHS.
She told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “We’re hearing from very large number of pharmacies that they’re struggling to get antibiotics.
“The spike in demand has been caused by the lowering of prescription thresholds, so pharmacies are paying up to ten times the tariff we get paid by the Government.
“The Government says there are sufficient stocks at the manufacturers…but on Friday and Saturday we were still hearing from pharmacies who were reporting that many lines were out of stock at the wholesalers.”
She said that stretched pharmacies could “not afford” to sustain the losses they were currently making due to the rise in wholesale prices, adding: “The Government must check that no one is taking advantage of what is a serious situation for patients… we are worried about our financial future”.
Strep A bacteria can cause many different infections, ranging from minor illnesses to serious and deadly diseases. They include scarlet fever, strep throat and the skin infection impetigo.
Symptoms of scarlet fever include sore throat, headache and fever, along with a fine, pinkish or red body rash with a “sandpapery” feel. Anyone concerned that their child seems seriously unwell is advised to contact NHS 111 or their GP.
