A FLINTSHIRE pharmacy is among those affected by a nationwide shortage of medication.
Pharmacists have been struggling to obtain stock for various medications across a range of health areas, including HRT, epilepsy, acne, contraception, and many others.
Popular brands like Beechams, Calpol, and Gaviscon, as well as more generic offerings such as Paracetamol, have been affected by supply issues. These shortages are nationwide, and are affecting all pharmacies throughout the UK.
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Among those affected is Penyffordd Pharmacy. Penyffordd staff would typically place an order expecting to receive them on the next run, but they have recently experienced missing and incorrect tote boxes, the supply of incorrect medication, and the supply of too little or too much medication.
Imaan Healthcare, which runs Penyffordd Pharmacy, said pharmacists are now spending more time trying to source medication from wholesalers or other pharmacies, and ultimately can’t get ahold of them.
Wholesalers are said to frequently not have enough staff in warehouses and depots to pick the meds, nor enough drivers to deliver them.
This in turn creates creates extra work and stress for the pharmacy team, who must spend additional time creating credit notes, but it is ultimately the patient who suffers in the end.
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Unable to receive the medication they need, Imaan Healthcare said some patients become angry and direct abuse at pharmacy staff.
Brexit has exacerbated the situation, Imaan Healthcare claims. With workers returning to their countries of origin, there are no longer enough people available to work these difficult jobs at wholesaler depots and distribution centres.
A spokesperson for Penyffordd Pharmacy said: “The pharmaceutical sector is undoubtedly affected by rising costs of raw materials, staff resources, fuel and energy, but these issues are present across all industries.
"The impact of Brexit on these rising costs must also be acknowledged.”
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