Coronavirus: Pharmacy

(asked on 23rd March 2020) - View Source

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 availability of over-the-counter paracetamol; if he will take steps to ensure the availability of (a) paracetamol, (b) other over-the-counter medicines and (c) baby milk during the covid-19 outbreak; and if he will make a statement.


Answered by
Jo Churchill Portrait
Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
This question was answered on 28th April 2020

The country is well prepared to deal with the impacts of COVID-19 and we have stockpiles of medicines, including paracetamol, in the event of any supply issues or significant increases in demand.

The Department is also aware of some recent local food stockpiling issues and is in discussion with industry to ensure a continued supply of infant formula. This dialogue with the formula industry, including the British Specialist Nutrition Association Ltd, will remain active and we will continue to monitor the situation.

The Department is working closely with industry, the National Health Service and others in the supply chain to help ensure patients can access the medicines they need, and precautions are in place to reduce the likelihood of future shortages.

The steps being taken to protect United Kingdom supplies in response to the COVID-19 outbreak were set out in the Department’s press statement issued on 11 February 2020. This statement can be read at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-to-monitor-impact-of-coronavirus-on-uk-medicine-supply

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