There's a type of drug I use where there are problems.
I take two medications as 'mood stabilisers' that are also used for various other conditions, including epilepsy.
After the brexit referendum, a consultant neurologist started campaigning about this sort of drug and the need for the government to ensure supplies post brexit, because there had already been problems. Other professionals backed him up.
For instance, in 2015, a two month supply of one drug, lamotrigine, had five different brands. Yes, five. What suddenly dawned on me, and I researched it and found that I was right, was that they had different levels of bioavailability. I pointed out to the pharmacist in the shop in question that she should be warning people about the variations between the drugs, not least because in my case my neurologist was trying to assess whether the drug was causing my ataxia, but also because for others, that variation could be worrisome in terms of suicide risk.
I had always supported local pharmacies but now changed to a branch of Lloyds, because their sheer size and purchasing power make it easier for them to keep supplies going and thus change brands less frequently.
Meanwhile, in early 2020, having had increasing difficulty over time getting a single brand of my other drug, valproate, I told my GP I wanted to halve my dose, which at that point was two tablets a day of the smallest dose on the market. I said that I was happy with my current dose, but anticipated problems and didn't want to go cold-turkey if supplies were interrupted.
I believe that the reduced dose has made it harder for me to fight low moods, but given that I couldn't get any valproate with my last prescription, although they'd got supplies when I went back a week later, I think I made the right decision.
I try always to re-order when I've got two and a bit weeks' worth left but sometimes I leave it less long. My heart goes out to those that don't have the choice of ordering early or have other problems relating to getting prescriptions.
All that being said, I think that supply problems are down to a combination of factors. One is that there's big money in pharmaceuticals and that has, over the decades, led to what I personally regard as some very unethical behaviour, just as is the case with other big industries. I think it's a rare person that has what it takes to get into a position of power in a very big business without greed being their biggest driver.
Just look what's happening with Pfizer. Whilst some people are arguing over whether vaccinations are safe or not, and I'm not arguing that theirs aren't (I didn't split hairs over brand for my booster) they've been caught funding people/organisations that stress problems with rival brands, and price-gouging on a level I'll describe as evil.
As for brexit, I can think of lots of reasons why that would be relevant, but then I'm a 'remoaner'.
