The current approach to managing medicine shortages is too short term and reactive says National President of the Pharmacy Guild Trent Twomey.
“It doesn’t address the root cause of shortages, and patients continue to suffer. Information sharing and greater awareness of existing and forecasted supply disruptions is crucial to making sure Australian patients have the medicine they need” said Twomey.
Community pharmacists continue to struggle to provide patients with the medicines they need because of medicine shortages. These include crucial medicines for diabetes, menopause and mental health.
The Guild has been calling on the government to reinstate the Medicine Shortage Working Party since it was disbanded in 2021. This important forum was formed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic included representatives from all levels of the supply chain and provided for information sharing and greater awareness of existing and forecasted shortages.
The TGA’s Medicine Shortage Action Groups are formed in response to critical shortages, and do not provide the same opportunity to discuss general policies or mitigation strategies for anticipated or localised shortages.
“The TGA’s reactive approach means that not all industry stakeholders are represented, leading to inconsistent information being shared across the supply chain. The Government can, and should, focus on the big picture – to reduce the impact being felt by vulnerable Australians who need these essential medicines.”