Medicine shortages after Brexit – Scotland’s model for pharmacy offers lessons for England’s future

Brexit is causing a severe medicine shortage in the UK

Image created by Jon Danzig The UK is grappling with its worst medicine shortage in four years, and the evidence points squarely at Brexit as a central cause. In 2024 alone, drug companies reported 1,938 supply disruptions to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) – a sharp rise from 1,634 in 2023.The worst-hit medications include essential treatments for epilepsy and cystic fibrosis, leaving vulnerable patients at risk.This disturbing …

Medicine shortages after Brexit – Scotland’s model for pharmacy offers lessons for England’s future

Professor John Robertson OBA In the Guardian today, the above and: Drug companies notified the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) about disruptions to supply 1,938 times during last year – the highest number since the 1,967 seen in 2021. Medications to treat epilepsy and cystic fibrosis are among those that pharmacists are finding it hard or impossible to get hold of, creating risks for patients’ health. The figures have emerged in a ne…