Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help tackle medicine shortages in (a) North East Hampshire constituency and (b) other rural areas for (i) Parkinson's, (ii) epilepsy and (iii) other chronic conditions.

The Department is working with industry to help resolve intermittent supply issues with some epilepsy and Parkinson’s Disease medications. As a result of ongoing activity and intensive work, including directing suppliers to expedite deliveries, most issues have been resolved.

We are currently aware of an ongoing supply issue with all strengths of topiramate tablets, used to manage epilepsy, from one manufacturer. This supply issue is expected to resolve by the end of August 2025. Alternative suppliers have sufficient supply to support patients. We have issued management guidance to the National Health Service.

We are also aware of a shortage of phenobarbital 15 milligram tablets and phenobarbital 15 milligram/5 millilitre elixir from two different manufacturers; these are also used to manage epilepsy. Resupply dates are yet to be confirmed for phenobarbital 15 milligram tablets, and the elixir issue is expected to resolve by late June 2025. Management guidance has been issued to the NHS for both formulations. In both cases, alternative suppliers are in stock with sufficient supply to support patients.

The Department is aware of supply constraints with amantadine 100 milligram capsules used in the management of Parkinson’s Disease, however stocks remain available from alternative suppliers to cover demand. The Department have also been notified of a discontinuation of Apomorphine (APO-go PFS) 50 milligram/10 millilitre pre-filled syringes from April 2025. Alternative formulations of apomorphine remain available for patients and management guidance has been issued to the NHS.

The Department monitors and manages medicine supply at a national level so that stocks remain available to meet regional and local demand. Information on stock levels within North East Hampshire and other rural areas is not held centrally.