Antibiotic supply gone from bad to worse, say pharmacists

As reported by the BBC, pharmacists say supplies of key antibiotics to treat strep A have ‘gone from bad to worse’ in the past week

The Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies (AIMP) said the situation was ‘unacceptable’ and it was time for the government to get a plan in place.

Four antibiotics, which treat different conditions, have been added to a list of products that the UK cannot export.

The UK government says it is working urgently with manufacturers and wholesalers to speed up deliveries.

However, Leyla Hannbeck, chief executive of the AIMP, which represents 4,000 pharmacies in the UK, said the supply of antibiotics to treat bacterial infections including strep A and scarlet fever was “very poor”.

She said the problem had been highlighted a week ago, but it was now getting worse, making it very difficult to get hold of any antibiotics.

“People are having to go from one pharmacy to another – it’s chaos,” she said.

“Supplies are not coming through to us and it feels like no-one cares.”

Dr Hannbeck said putting four antibiotics – three of which are go-to treatments for strep A – on the banned UK export list because of high demand was “too little too late”.

Amoxicillin, phenoxymethylpenicillin (penicillin V), azithromycin oral suspension and cefalexin are used to treat a large range of bacterial infections, including throat, chest and skin infections.

Her message to worried parents is that pharmacists are working very hard to find alternatives, and also changing formulations from solid pills to liquid medicines.

But even the alternatives are running short, Dr Hannbeck says.