Epilepsy Society has witnessed a sharp rise in the number of people who are struggling to get medication for seizure control and is asking Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, to commission a review of this underlying issue in the supply chain. This is the latest development in an issue, which Big Pharma for long has failed to resolve.
The Charity says its Helpline is flooded with worried calls, and the anxiety and stress caused has put people with epilepsy at increased risk for seizures.
Although uncertainties around Brexit are adding to the concerns with people worrying whether they will be able to access their drugs, the charity says that the problem has been ongoing for more than a decade with problems in the supply chain being blamed for low levels of stock.
Charity's Chief Executive, Clare Pelham, said, “It is simply not good enough for drugs manufacturers to say ‘production issues’ or ‘just-in-time manufacture problems’ and shrug their shoulders whenever a shortage occurs. People with epilepsy deserve better.”
Charity's Medical Director, Professor Ley Sander, has called for greater transparency regarding communication issues around medicines’ shortages.
"It is vital that clinicians have the most up-to-date information around any supply issues so that we can discuss these with our patients and forge a plan together," he said.
