Is a shortage of vital medicines looming? Find out why doctors say the drug industry is ‘on a knife edge’
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It’s something that could have a severe impact on all of our lives - an alarming shortage of essential medicines that may be just around the corner.
Speaking to Weekend Today, former federal deputy chief medical officer Nick Coatsworth said that a number of basic medications are already facing a critical shortage. Medicines such as Amoxicillin syrup to treat bacterial infections, antidepressants, and medication used for lowering cholesterol are all in short supply.
'These are drugs that are essential,' he said. 'What we learned from the COVID-19 pandemic is we are balanced on a knife edge in terms of medication supply.'
Coatsworth commented that this shortage was especially felt in rural areas. He explained that the issue was not just a lack of availability of these medicines but also the number of pharmacies to visit, not to mention that a lot of these medicines need to also be more affordable.
To combat this issue, multiple doctors have been lobbying ahead of the May federal budget to change dispensing and prescribing rules to combat this issue. They’re proposing a range of measures, such as doubling the number of drugs dispersed in each prescription and extending the prescription period. On top of that, they’re suggesting lower caps on medicine payments, to make them more affordable.
But the much-needed changes may also pose some risks, with some pharmacy groups warning that these proposed changes could worsen the shortage of some medicines.
Above all else, Coatsworth said an overhaul of Australia's pharmaceutical industry is needed to ensure the supply of essential medicines, he also explained that an increased production capacity was needed here in Australia.
'I think in the longer term, we've seen that we don't have the manufacturing capacity in Australia and that needs to change,' he said. ‘There's some good news on the front of mRNA vaccines and other vaccines which will be produced onshore but we're talking about basic medicines.’
Unfortunately, members, this isn’t the first time we have written about the shortage of crucial medications. In January this year, we also reported that the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) had warned about the shortage of an in-demand antibiotic. At the time of reporting, three hundred and sixty-one medicines had been reported as in short supply around the country. Of these, 45 had been classified as critical shortages. If you wish to learn more about this, we encourage you to read this article here.
What do you think Australia could do to combat this issue? Are you currently on a medication that you know is in short supply? Has this impacted your ability to attain it? Let us know your thoughts, opinions and experiences on this topic below, members!
What can Australia do to combat the shortage of vital medications? Image source: Shutterstock.
Speaking to Weekend Today, former federal deputy chief medical officer Nick Coatsworth said that a number of basic medications are already facing a critical shortage. Medicines such as Amoxicillin syrup to treat bacterial infections, antidepressants, and medication used for lowering cholesterol are all in short supply.
'These are drugs that are essential,' he said. 'What we learned from the COVID-19 pandemic is we are balanced on a knife edge in terms of medication supply.'
Coatsworth commented that this shortage was especially felt in rural areas. He explained that the issue was not just a lack of availability of these medicines but also the number of pharmacies to visit, not to mention that a lot of these medicines need to also be more affordable.
To combat this issue, multiple doctors have been lobbying ahead of the May federal budget to change dispensing and prescribing rules to combat this issue. They’re proposing a range of measures, such as doubling the number of drugs dispersed in each prescription and extending the prescription period. On top of that, they’re suggesting lower caps on medicine payments, to make them more affordable.
But the much-needed changes may also pose some risks, with some pharmacy groups warning that these proposed changes could worsen the shortage of some medicines.
Above all else, Coatsworth said an overhaul of Australia's pharmaceutical industry is needed to ensure the supply of essential medicines, he also explained that an increased production capacity was needed here in Australia.
'I think in the longer term, we've seen that we don't have the manufacturing capacity in Australia and that needs to change,' he said. ‘There's some good news on the front of mRNA vaccines and other vaccines which will be produced onshore but we're talking about basic medicines.’
Unfortunately, members, this isn’t the first time we have written about the shortage of crucial medications. In January this year, we also reported that the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) had warned about the shortage of an in-demand antibiotic. At the time of reporting, three hundred and sixty-one medicines had been reported as in short supply around the country. Of these, 45 had been classified as critical shortages. If you wish to learn more about this, we encourage you to read this article here.
What do you think Australia could do to combat this issue? Are you currently on a medication that you know is in short supply? Has this impacted your ability to attain it? Let us know your thoughts, opinions and experiences on this topic below, members!
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