The UK National Health Service is facing a lack of dozens of lifesaving drugs, including treatments for cancer, heart conditions and epilepsy.
A 24-page document from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) revealed in total that there are 86 drug shortages, with 17 new shortages on top of 69 other medications.
The document, obtained by The Guardian, recommended patients break tablets in half in order to make their prescriptions last longer.
Among the latest stock shortage were treatments for cancer, mental health problems and some eye conditions. Antibiotics for tuberculosis, the painkiller diamorphine, hepatitis vaccines and heart condition drugs have also been affected.
Given the shortages, the document also says that unlicensed versions may have to be imported, but that ‘lead times vary’. Dr Nick Mann, a GP in Hackney in London, said: ‘This situation is absolutely unprecedented.
The document said that because there are shortages of many licensed medicines, in some cases unlicensed versions may end up being imported.
The leak comes a month after pharmacists revealed they were suffering shortages in all 36 major medicine categories.
The document warned: “This information is confidential to the NHS, please do not upload to websites in the public domain.”
Dr Mann added: “This situation is absolutely unprecedented.
“Previously we would have one or two or three drugs that would go offline for a while, but this is something on a different level.
“It is going to render the day-to-day treatments that doctors provide very difficult.”
The document also provides alternative solutions for the medicines running out, saying doctors should “consider sharing remaining stock locally with the support of your regional procurement lead”.
> Juthy Saha
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