Pharmacy representatives are calling on Scottish Parliament to tackle medicines shortages, as a report outlining potential solutions is presented at Holyrood today.

The report, authored by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS), explored supply and demand issues contributing to shortages in medicines supply, with 'global and complex' supply chains becoming 'disrupted' and 'less resilient'.

It also said that community pharmacy's 'unstable economic model' was 'potentially contributing to local shortages', while cost-driven pressures and 'just-in-time supply chains' can 'exacerbate supply issues'.

Meanwhile, 'a lack of visibility into stock levels in primary care hampers collaboration to manage shortages effectively', the report found.

It also suggested that medicines shortages are increasing professional tensions between pharmacy teams and other healthcare providers.

And it set out a series of proposed solutions to help mitigate shortages.

James Davies, a director at the RPS and co-author of the report, said it was 'essential' to take a new approach to medicines shortages with 'a properly resourced UK-wide medicines shortages strategy that helps prevent and manage shortages'.

Lucy Mulvagh, director of policy, research and impact, at the Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (the ALLIANCE), commented that medicine shortages 'cause distress and risk the health and wellbeing of people who rely on them to live well'.

'Evidence suggests that people currently affected include those living with long-term conditions like diabetes and epilepsy, and women using hormone replacement therapy to manage the symptoms of menopause.

'We have heard concerning reports of people facing the prospect of going without vital medication or being offered less suitable alternatives as a result of shortages.'

In response to the call for a UK-wide strategy, a Scottish Government spokesperson told The Pharmacist that it recognised the impact of medicine shortages on people’s treatment and on their families.

'The pricing and supply of medicines, including the management of medicine shortages, is a reserved matter for the UK Government, and we continue to engage with them to find a lasting solution to minimise the impact of medicine shortages.

'Scottish Government officials are regularly updated on any supply disruptions and provide advice to NHS Scotland on options to address any shortages that may arise.

'NHS Scotland has robust systems in place to manage medicine shortages when they arise and normally alternative medicines are available which can be prescribed and dispensed,' they said.

The report will also be presented at the Welsh Senedd on 4 December.

A Welsh Government spokesperson told The Pharmacist that the continuity of supply of medicines to the UK was 'the responsibility of the UK Government'.

'We are working with the UK Government and other stakeholders to ensure people in Wales can obtain the medication they need,' they added.

'To support people affected by medicines shortages, we have made more information about specific shortages available on our website and we have asked the All Wales Medicines Strategy Group to develop a range of resources for the public and healthcare professionals.'

The presentation in Scottish parliament today comes after a similar presentation in Westminster earlier this week.

And 20 pharmacy and patient groups have written to health and social care secretary Wes Streeting, calling for a ‘cohesive cross-government’ strategy that would help strengthen the medicines supply chain and better protect access to medicines.