THE conflict spreading across the Middle East could trigger shortages in vital medications in the UK, pharmacists have warned.
The Independent Pharmacies Association (IPA) said the crisis could impact global supply chains by making raw materials for drugs “harder to source”, driving up energy costs and causing transport delays.
Drugs like blood pressure medication, painkillers and antidepressants are already affected by supply issues, the organisation’s CEO Dr Leyla Hannbeck said.
She warned the conflict – which started with US strikes in Iran before unfolding to Israel, Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Syria and Iraq – could exacerbate the problem.
Dr Hannbeck said: “Pharmacies up and down the country are reporting worsening medicines shortages.
“The ongoing conflict in the Middle East further risks shortages as pharmaceutical raw materials become harder to source, energy costs rise, and transport delays mount.
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“Ministers must act now before these pressures worsen and the impact on patients becomes critical.”
Of particular concern is disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital trade route in the Persian Gulf that is a hub for oil and gas exports.
Traffic through the waterway ground to a halt this week after Iranian forces threatened to “set ablaze” any ships passing through.
Any lengthy blockade of the Strait could cause UK energy bills, the price of goods and inflation to soar.
Now, medicines experts warn the disruption could trickle to medicines too.
Mark Samuels, chief executive of Medicines UK, a trade body representing drug manufacturers, said: “Disruption to UK medicine supplies has been limited so far.
“However, as the conflict continues, the risk to supply continuity inevitably increases.
“Manufacturers are monitoring developments closely with their logistics partners, but in a fast‑moving situation there is always the potential for delays, short‑notice disruptions, and rising costs.
“Most UK medicines arrive by sea rather than air, and some delays may occur due to the inaccessibility of the Strait of Hormuz.
“Any prolonged crisis that drives up operating costs [of off-patent medicines] will have a disproportionate impact on manufacturers and could lead to shortages of supply or a rise in the costs of medicines.”
Approximately 85 per cent of the prescription medicines used by NHS patients are off-patent – which means they’re unbranded and can be made more cheaply.
Meanwhile, Gareth Jones, director of external affairs at the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) told Sun Health: “This is an uncertain and fast evolving situation.
“Pharmacies are alarmed by events in the middle east and we urge the government to closely monitor what the impact this could have on the nation’s medicine supplies.
“Although we’re unaware of immediate disruption to medicines, prolonged blockades could have the potential to lead to supply problems.
“The medicines supply chain is a complex and global one and we know that world events have in the past compounded existing medicine shortages.”
The IPA, which represents 5,000 independent community pharmacies across England and Wales, also called on the government to take action to tackle ongoing medicine supply issues, which could be exacerbated by the conflict.
Dr Hannnbeck said: “Many common medicines such as blood pressure medicines, pain killers, antidepressants and hormone replacement therapy medicines are currently in short supply.
She added: “Several factors are driving these shortages, including limited raw ingredients, rising costs, and the fact that most medicines are manufactured abroad.
“A key underlying issue is the price of medicines and a reimbursement system that is no longer fit for purpose.”
Under the UK medicines reimbursement scheme, the NHS pays back pharmacies for the drugs they dispense using set drug tariff pricing.
This can leave chemists out of pocket when drug prices suddenly spike due to supply issues.
“Fundamental reform is needed,” Dr Hannbeck said.
“We must incentivise domestic manufacturing, ensure medicines are adequately priced and strengthen supply chains to protect patients.
“Government must act urgently to strengthen the resilience of the UK medicines supply system.
“Without co-ordinated national action, patients will continue to feel the impact of supply disruption at the pharmacy counter.”
The Department of Health and Social Care has been approached for comment.
A Company Chemists’ Association (CCA) spokesperson told Sun Health: “Conflict in the Middle East, and the impact it is having on energy costs and the use of established trade routes, has the potential to affect all global supply chains.
“However, we are not aware of any immediate impact that the conflict is currently having on community pharmacies obtaining medicines for patients.
“The CCA and its members will of course continue to work closely with our colleagues across the supply chain, and in government, to ensure patients can access the medicines they need, when they need them.”
Painkiller shortage
It comes after Brits were told to ration supplies of the popular painkiller co-codamol as the UK faces an “enormously disruptive” nationwide shortage.
Only half the usual supply of prescription-strength co-codamol is expected to be available until June, according to the NHS.
This could potentially leave millions without the pills for months.
The drug, used as a relief for everything from wisdom tooth removal to migraines, is dished out 1.25million times every month, NHS figures suggest.
Dr Hannbeck told the Sun last month: “People taking co-codamol should ration their supplies until supplies become stable in the summer.”
But she urged patients not to stop suddenly without medical advice.
This is because stopping altogether can bring on withdrawal symptoms like headaches, nausea and sweating.
It can also cause an increase in pain for people who use the drug the most.
Read more on the shortage, which is expected to last until the summer, here.