PSNC warning over drugs on concessions list

The Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee suggests Brexit uncertainty and contingency planning could be affecting the increase in drugs on the concessions list. There are now 90 drugs on the February 2019 concessions list, one less than November 2017 when medicines shortages were at their highest, and they are expected to cost the NHS an additional £20m. It is estimated that price concessions have cost NHS England £162.7m in the last year.

Director of pharmacy funding at the PSNC, Mike Dent, said there has been a huge increase in the number of generic medicines that cannot be purchased at drug tariff prices since October 2018. He said: “These shortages are due to a combination of factors, such as manufacturing problems and the UK being seen as a less attractive market for manufacturers as community pharmacies have helped drive down medicine prices for the NHS. Uncertainty around Brexit and contingency planning may also be exacerbating these issues. In December 2018, we wrote to Sarah Wollaston, chair of the health and social care committee, to outline our concerns about the potential impact of Brexit on the medicines supply chain, and we continue to monitor the situation.”