A recent report from the Nuffield Trust think-tank reveals a concerning trend: drug shortages in the UK more than doubled between 2020 and 2023.
The report highlights Brexit as a significant factor, likely to “significantly weaken” the country’s ability to manage supply chain issues.
In 2023, drug companies issued 1,643 warnings of impending medicine shortages, a stark increase from 648 in 2020—the year Britain departed from the European Union (EU).
This surge in shortages encompasses vital treatments such as antibiotics and epilepsy drugs, prompting the government to more frequently reimburse pharmacies for purchasing drugs above their standard cost.
The report, titled “The future for health after Brexit,” underscores the impact of Brexit on the UK’s healthcare landscape.
With the devaluation of sterling and the removal of the UK from EU supply chains, the nation faces a heightened risk compared to its European counterparts.
Moreover, changes in demand patterns resulting from prescription practices in the UK and constrained National Health Service (NHS) budgets exacerbate the shortages, the report notes.
Mark Dayan, Nuffield Trust Brexit Programme Lead, emphasizes the global nature of these challenges, citing disruptions in imports from Asia due to COVID-19 shutdowns, inflation, and global instability.
However, he also points out Brexit’s unique contribution to the UK’s woes: smoother product flow across EU borders has been disrupted, and long-term struggles to approve medicines may lead to fewer alternatives.
The report sheds light on another issue: the UK’s slower drug approval process compared to the EU. Among the drugs authorized in Europe in 2023, 56 were later approved in the UK. Eight remain unapproved, while only four received faster approval.
In conclusion, the Nuffield Trust report paints a troubling picture of the UK’s drug supply landscape post-Brexit.
The doubling of shortages, coupled with Brexit-induced challenges, underscores the urgent need for strategic interventions to safeguard the nation’s healthcare system.