2 weeks Ago By Damon Cronshaw
A shortage of key medications is causing people distress, Darby Street Pharmacy owner John Jones says. Login or signup to continue reading Drugs for ADHD , diabetes and menopause have been highlighted among 400 medicines listed on the Therapeutic Goods Administration's shortage register. When a drug shortage occurs, pharmacists can't substitute it with another medication, Mr Jones said.
"The patient has to recontact their GP - which means another appointment - to discuss what options they have." The Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) said on Monday that the medicine shortage had "almost doubled in the last three years". The RACP called for solutions in Tuesday's federal budget.
RACP president Jennifer Martin said Australia "imports 90 per cent of our medicines, making us highly susceptible to disruptions in supply". Professor Martin, of University of Newcastle, said "we need to invest in domestic manufacturing to ensure a stable and reliable supply of critical medications". Mr Jones said a shortage of methylphenidate, sold under the brand name Concerta, was a big issue.
"It treats ADHD," he said. "That's even more difficult because it has to be prescribed by a psychiatrist for the patient to access it." Psychiatrist appointments are hard to get.
"When we have shortages of that medication, it's a nightmare for patients," Mr Jones said. "It's a lot of work for everyone to try to resolve." He said patients coming off the drug were affected.
"It's not so much withdrawals, it's more to do with behaviour. You've got children, adolescents and adults that can't function in terms of school and work. "So when they don't have access to this medication, it affects not just the child but everyone involved - parents, teachers.
" Mr Jones' Darby Street pharmacy has stocks of semaglutide [brand name Ozempic ] for type 2 diabetes. The same drug was made available last year for weight loss, under the brand name Wegovy. While this took pressure off Ozempic stocks, the TGA warned that the drug was "expected to be limited in 2025".
Mr Jones said there was also a shortage of HRT [hormone replacement therapy] medications for women. "Estrogen patches have been a massive problem to access," he said. "That's been a big issue in all the strengths of that.
" The TGA said supply of HRT "patch products", depending on the type, was expected to return to normal in June and December. The RACP called for investment in "data-sharing systems to monitor medicine shortages and improve communication to prescribers". Professor Martin said communication should occur "well in advance" of medicines being discontinued.
"We need to make sure doctors and patients are notified through accessible channels," she said. A TGA spokesperson said the number of medicine shortages on its database had been "relatively consistent" for six years. Shortages fluctuate as new cases are reported or supply problems are resolved.
The TGA was developing reforms to "better anticipate, mitigate and communicate medicine shortages and discontinuations". The annual list of top 10 most common drugs across country changes little from year to year, with one little change, antidepressants are on the rise. Recorded: May 9, 2023.
Health and medicine, science, research, nutrition. Email: [email protected].
au Health and medicine, science, research, nutrition. Email: [email protected].
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