Re: Shortage of Medecines

Anyone who needs extra meds and does not want to go on the net can always go to a private GP and ask for a private prescription. You then go to the chemist and pay for the medication knowing that it's passed the MHRA requirements. Either option (private GP or online) costs money.

Most of the requirements are down to manufacturers having a licence to distribute in the UK. So just because they don't have that doesn't mean that medicines are bad. They may distribute perfectly safe medications on the other side of the world

The Epi pen shortage is down to the monopoly one company have on the technology rather than a shortage of adrenaline. A monopoly that has been won in the law courts. Adrenaline degrades over time but I'm sure that it's not only in the interest of patient safety but also in the interests of profits to make it a shorter shelf life. There are companies trying to manufacture a more stable version of epinephrine which should have a longer shelf life. But it's ridiculous than only one organisation is licensed to use the technology.

Rationing to what's needed is probably down to the amount of prescribed medications that are wasted each year and I'm sure we all have lots of prescribed meds in the cabinet which have only been partly used or maybe not even opened.

Re: Shortage of Medecines

Wondered where you were Annie, glad you joined the debate.

So as ever it comes down to a money issue nothing more. If the NHS is willing to diagnose someone and deem that they need long term courses of medications then there is no sensible reason why the first instalment shouldn't be 2-3 sets of those meds to act as a backup, followed by weekly instalments. It is COST that prevents them doing this because an additional 2-3 sets of Meds for millions of people ramps up.

And of course they do just that. Medications are medications. They have no conscience. They are not racist, choosing to work only for UK citizens and not for anyone else !

The kind of corruption seen throughout the Big Pharma and medical industry.

Not in my house but perhaps in others yes. I have "prescribed" (cough) Meds in the house for emergencies but I know from research and experience that they last many many years beyond the dates on the packets/tubs. So no issue at all with them being there. My tiny supply relative to the wider population is of no impact to anyone else's supply.

Re: Shortage of Medecines

Why? Because the NHS is an outward arm of the Big Pharma industry. It exists now solely for the purpose of generating revenue for Big Pharma. It has established drug pathways to maximise the sales of drugs and to prolong a patient's course of them. It has pathways of drugs that cure one ailment but introduce another which then requires a secondary set of drugs and sometimes tertiary.

The NHS is a business, not a health service.

Healthy people do not generate revenue . . .

Re: Shortage of Medecines

There's probably some anti- fraud measures there too. Pharmacies are private companies and there have to be controls in place to stop them claiming for medications that are not delivered.

I agree with you on the corporate aspects of "big pharma". Supply should not be hampered because of legal claims over the patent of a technology. That's totally anti competitive and in this instance has endangered lives due to a manufacturing hitch.

I used to have lots of half used meds in the house. Stuff I was prescribed but didn't want. A lot of medications come in packs that are too big for one use. So you may only need a little but they cannot buy smaller units. Again that's down to pharma company profits.

Re: Shortage of Medecines

Illegally was how we managed it realist and I don't say that with any pride at all. But desperation breeds that sort of thing IMO

Re: Shortage of Medecines

Hi

Sorry, but you are wrong Realist.

I need my Meds, end of.

Failure to supply is just plain wrong.

I need them before my Ops to go and see my son,you are out of order on this one.

This has nothing at all to do with Big Pharma or any conspiracy at all.

It is a simple scientific fact.

The problems I have are due to be being seriously injured in protecting you and others.

Being denied them so I cannot fly out to see my son I find totally wrong.

Enjoy your cruises, but remember those who have kept you safe to go on them.

Re: Shortage of Medecines

Hi Swim

You were asking why we didn't manufacture our own drugs instead of paying high prices to private sector. I simply offered why I think that is. Profits for Big Pharma. I'm thinking I misunderstood your point from what you just wrote.

You're now talking about being denied Meds which you need to go and see your son. That's unacceptable clearly. Wherein lies the problem?

Is it that there is a shortage of the Meds or that they won't source them from somewhere else or some other reason?

Re: Shortage of Medecines

I've sometimes found that the pharmacy haven't been able to get a particular drug for me but have ordered and its always there the next day.

I'm not sure about other medicines though.

Re: Shortage of Medecines

There's no way the government will take on the risk of research and development of drugs. Pharma companies put in a lot of money to investigate new drugs which may lead to a dead end. They then want to make a profit on other drugs that are successful. So they incur big losses on some and make gains from cash cows & stars which prove to help a lot of people. Some drugs are very expensive because they only help a few people. It was a long time ago but I had to go a project on this at business school. It's an interesting sector to study.

Here's a summary of the fraud aspect :

https://www.pharmaceutical-journal.c...irstPass=false

Re: Shortage of Medecines

Worry not, Julia.

I understand that medicines have a use-by date which can be passed if necessary.

They don't just stop working, and will remain effective for some time.

If in doubt, ask your GP for advice. I'm sure you don't need to worry too much.