GLP-1 receptor agonists shortage

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) issued a medicine supply notification for GLP-1 receptor agonists used in the management of type 2 diabetes.

We have issued the following comment on the shortage and how community pharmacists will be dealing with people presenting prescriptions for these products.

Our Director of Pharmacy Funding, Mike Dent, said:

“This is just one issue in a long line of medicine supply problems. Whilst pharmacy teams are working immeasurably hard doing their best for patients in the face of all kinds of pressures, they are caught in the middle of an impossible situation. Patients are understandably frustrated, but the problems within the medicines market go far beyond the pharmacies trying to manage them.

Our Pharmacy Pressures Survey earlier this year found that almost all of the pharmacy staff surveyed reported that they are experiencing extra workload (97%) and additional stress (96%) due to supply issues. The situation shows little sign of improving after years of turbulence and, with patient safety at risk, the Government urgently needs to step in and help stabilise the medicines market.”