Pharmacy Daily | No complacency on meds shortages

CLAIMS pharmacists are being complacent about their stock management have been shot down by Pharmacy Guild of Australia Victorian Branch President, Anthony Tassone (pictured).

Speaking on Melbourne's 3AW yesterday, Allergy and Anaphylaxis Australia (AAA) CEO, Maria Said, suggested pharmacists had not done enough to replenish stocks of EpiPens in recent weeks.

"We have had plentiful supply since late Jan, however, the message for some reason doesn't seem to be coming through to our pharmacies," she said.

"People are going to pharmacy after pharmacy and are still being told there's a shortage, but my understanding is there are thousands in the Australian marketplace."

Responding to Said's comments, Tassone said pharmacies have been experiencing "an unprecedented level of medicines shortages" and have been working "tirelessly" to ensure patients have access to medicines they need.

"To accuse pharmacies of being 'complacent' is an indication of not having a full appreciation of the breadth of the issue and the many factors beyond pharmacy's control," he said.

"Epipen(R) products have been facing repeated and long standing supply interruptions from the manufacturer which pharmacies and patients have had to deal with for a while.

"Whilst the TGA medicine shortage initiative website may not list a current shortage or indicate that a shortage has been resolved - there can be a lag time between; stock being available from the manufacturer, the stock being received from wholesalers who distribute to pharmacies, the wholesalers fulfilling back order or previous order for commitments, and the stock actually reaching the pharmacy.

"It would be nice if the stock could immediately arrive in our dispensaries once a manufacturer had resolved their own supply problems - but sadly in reality that's just not the case."

Tassone said the Guild would welcome the opportunity to work with the AAA to help patients.