A watchdog has launched an investigation into the sharp rise in prices of antibiotics after a surge in the number of children falling ill with strep A.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said on Wednesday it had started an inquiry and was gathering evidence after prices soared over the past fortnight.
Drug companies have been accused of increasing prices, with some pharmacists saying they are being charged up to £19 for a box of drugs that normally costs about £2.
Pharmacies say they are losing thousands of pounds a week because they can recoup only a fraction of what drugs truly cost from the NHS.
“We are working to establish the facts of what is currently happening in the market and welcome new information as part of our work,” the CMA said in a statement. “We stand ready to take action if there is evidence of anti-competitive behaviour that breaks the law.
“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.”
Group A strep bacteria can cause many different infections, ranging from minor illnesses to deadly diseases. While the vast majority of infections are mild, sometimes the bacteria cause a life-threatening illness called invasive group A streptococcal disease.
At least 16 children across the UK have died from invasive strep A infection and there has been a huge jump in cases of scarlet fever.
The UK Health Security Agency has said there is no evidence that a new strain is circulating and the rise in cases is most likely due to high amounts of circulating bacteria and increased social mixing.
As well as the sudden price increases, pharmacies are also reporting struggling to get hold of antibiotics, with parents forced to go from pharmacy to pharmacy trying to find drugs for sick children.
The Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies has said the problem is now getting worse and urged the government to take action.
Steve Barclay, the health secretary, said there was no shortage of antibiotics and stock could be moved around if areas were experiencing problems with supply.
However, on Monday the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), which Barclay oversees, issued a supply warning for antibiotics for the treatment of strep A.
“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,” the alert said. “Supplies are available with manufacturers, and deliveries into wholesalers and pharmacies are being expedited and are expected in the coming days.”
Reena Barai, of the National Pharmacy Association, said earlier this week that the medicines supply chain in the UK was “broken”.
A DHSC spokesperson 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.”
