Fears over drugs shortages

Medication shortages because of Covid-19 are affecting tens of thousands of patients, with no clear timeline for a return to normal. Drugs in short supply include four commonly used contraceptive pills, hormone replacement therapy, an inhaler for Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease sufferers, blood pressure medications and anti - parkinsons drugs. The Royal College of GPs says is calling on Pharmac to fund some medications that are in plentiful supply but are not currently funded and the Pharmaceutical Society says it is worried about the situation and how long it might last. Rhiannon Braund is the Pharmaceutical Society's Vice President and is leading work on access to and safe use of medicines at the University of Otago's Pharmacovigilance Centre. Dr Bryan Betty is Medical Director of the Royal College of GPS, formerly the Deputy Medical Director for Pharmac.