Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the impact of the local shortages of some antibiotics experienced in winter 2022 on the operation of the National Health Service in affected areas.

No assessment has been made. The increased demand for the antibiotics prescribed to treat Strep A in Winter 2022 meant that some pharmacists were unable to supply the medicine shown on the prescription. To make things easier for patients, pharmacists, and general practitoners, we issued serious shortage protocols (SSPs) for penicillin medicines, which allowed pharmacists to supply an alternative medicine without the need for the patient to return to their prescriber.

At the request of the Pharmaceutical Service Negotiating Committee, we have granted a number of concessionary prices for antibiotics where pharmacies have not been able to purchase products at or below the Drug Tariff NHS reimbursement price. This has helped to ensure overall pharmacy contractors are paid enough for the medicines they dispense.

We have provided advice to primary and secondary care on the management of supply issues affecting antibiotics for the treatment of Strep A, including direction to supply alternatives, as set out in the SSPs, if necessary.

We are continuing to work with the UK Health Security Agency and NHS England to coordinate any further communications to healthcare professionals advising on availability of antibiotics, if needed.