In this series from Soundbites from the NHS, Dr. Justine Scanlan, Head of the NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service and Chair of the joint DHSC and NHSE Medicines Shortage Response Group (MSRG) speaks with Jyotika Singh, Senior Principal Consultant at HSJ Advisory.

The shortage of medicines is one of the many, yet not so obvious, challenges that the NHS is currently grappling with.

Since 2020, the issue around medicines shortage has continued to worsen. Between Jan 2024 - June 2024, there was over 1,013 medicine shortages as reported by the Department of Health and Social Care, which was worse than previous years.

This series explores how the NHS is dealing with medicines shortages, as well as covering the introduction of Biosimilars and Biologics into the system.

Episode 1 - Understanding the role of Specialist Pharmacy Service (SPS)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Episode 2 - What are the medicines supply challenges within the system?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Episode 3 - Supplies are in the system but not in the right places

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Episode 4 - Home care and primary care shortage issues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Episode 5 - Supporting the introduction of new advanced therapies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Episode 6 - Industry bringing in new medicines into the system

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Episode 7 - Industry alleviating medicines shortage pressures

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Episode 8 - The role of the Specialist Pharmacy Service (SPS) going forward

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Episode 9 - Specialist Pharmacy Service tools