{"id":584751,"date":"2026-07-14T07:25:33","date_gmt":"2026-07-14T07:25:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/584751\/"},"modified":"2026-07-14T07:25:33","modified_gmt":"2026-07-14T07:25:33","slug":"patients-waiting-weeks-for-vital-drugs-with-pharmacy-shortages-worst-in-40-years","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/584751\/","title":{"rendered":"Patients waiting weeks for vital drugs with pharmacy shortages &#8216;worst in 40 years&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Pharmacies across England are struggling to serve patients due to <a class=\"post_in-line_link\" href=\"https:\/\/inews.co.uk\/news\/free-covid-jabs-axe-cash-strapped-pharmacies-4285205?srsltid=AfmBOorqyMMbcQ3Ize2uG-XfgzbNd-rpl-kahvfCl-BWUzrZBsIFj3BQ&amp;ico=in-line_link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">severe financial losses<\/a> and medicine shortages, meaning patients face waits of several weeks to receive critical medication.<\/p>\n<p>People seeking medical advice from community pharmacists are also waiting longer as staff spend hours trying to hunt down prescription drugs.<\/p>\n<p>A Community Pharmacy England survey of 2,900 pharmacies and 900 team members, found 76 per cent of pharmacies report that patients are being impacted by the pressures facing their pharmacy business.<\/p>\n<p>\n\t\t\tShorts\n\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\tScroll to previous short<br \/>\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/inews.co.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/inews-theme\/assets\/images\/chevron.svg\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\tScroll to next short<br \/>\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/inews.co.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/inews-theme\/assets\/images\/chevron.svg\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/inews.co.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/inews-theme\/assets\/images\/chevron.svg\" alt=\"\"\/><\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"675\" width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SEI_305004466.jpg\" alt=\"People enjoying the warm weather in Queen Square, Bristol. The heatwave across the UK looks set to continue as 2026 became the first year to record temperatures of 35C on six separate days. Picture date: Sunday July 12, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Ben Birchall\/PA Wire\" class=\"wp-image-4642627\" style=\"aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\"  \/>Caption: People enjoying the warm weather in Queen Square, Bristol. The heatwave across the UK looks set to continue as 2026 became the first year to record temperatures of 35C on six separate days. Picture date: Sunday July 12, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Ben Birchall\/PA Wire<br \/>Photographer: Ben Birchall<br \/>Provider: Ben Birchall\/PA Wire<br \/>Copyright: PA Wire<\/p>\n<p class=\"inews--shorts-card--badge\">weather<\/p>\n<p>Heatwave to intensify \u2013 where will it be the hottest?<\/p>\n<p>Temperatures will rise again this week, as the third heatwave of the year intensifies.<\/p>\n<p>Yellow heat health alerts have been issued for most of the country from tomorrow morning until 9pm on Friday.<\/p>\n<p>Temperatures rising again<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"675\" width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SEI_304864516.jpg\" alt=\"A person sits in the shade in Castle Park, Bristol. The heatwave across the UK looks set to continue as 2026 became the first year to record temperatures of 35C on six separate days, and emergency services warn of \" extreme=\"\" wildfire=\"\" risks=\"\" over=\"\" the=\"\" weekend.=\"\" picture=\"\" date:=\"\" saturday=\"\" july=\"\" pa=\"\" photo.=\"\" photo=\"\" credit=\"\" should=\"\" read:=\"\" ben=\"\" birchall=\"\" wire=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4642628\" style=\"aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\"  \/>Caption: A person sits in the shade in Castle Park, Bristol. The heatwave across the UK looks set to continue as 2026 became the first year to record temperatures of 35C on six separate days, and emergency services warn of \u201cextreme\u201d wildfire risks over the weekend. Picture date: Saturday July 11, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Ben Birchall\/PA Wire<br \/>Photographer: Ben Birchall<br \/>Provider: Ben Birchall\/PA Wire<br \/>Copyright: PA Wire<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Many southern and western parts are expected to reach 30\u00b0C again this week.<\/li>\n<li>UV levels are expected to be high or very high across many parts of the UK throughout the week, according to the Met Office.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\t<a class=\"inews--shorts-card--article_thumbnail post_in-line_link\" href=\"https:\/\/inews.co.uk\/news\/temperatures-hit-34c-how-long-next-heatwave-last-4617489?ico=in-line_link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\"><br \/>\n\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SEI_304535898.jpg\" width=\"110\" height=\"110\" alt=\"\"\/><br \/>\n\t<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"inews--shorts-card--article_label\">NEWS<\/p>\n<p class=\"inews--shorts-card--article_min-read\">3 min read<\/p>\n<p>\nWhere and when it will be hottest\n<\/p>\n<p>Wednesday is expected to be the hottest day of the week, with temperatures forecast to peak at 30\u00b0C. This high is expected to be seen in and around Hereford, Worcester, Monmouth, Bristol, Stratford Upon Avon, Gloucester and Reading.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"512\" width=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SEI_304641430-e1783939715296.jpg\" alt=\"HUNSTANTON, ENGLAND - JULY 9: Cyclists push their bikes along the promenade in the early morning sun during a heatwave on July 9, 2029 in Hunstanton, England. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued yellow heat health alerts for the Midlands, East Anglia, London, and the south-east and south-west regions of England in effect through July 11, as temperatures are forecast to build into heatwave conditions. For some regions affected, the hot spell could mark the third official heatwave of the season, following record-breaking temperatures in May and June. (Photo by Martin Pope\/Getty Images)\" class=\"wp-image-4642630\" style=\"aspect-ratio:5\/4;object-fit:cover;width:204px\"  \/>Caption: HUNSTANTON, ENGLAND \u2013 JULY 9: Cyclists push their bikes along the promenade in the early morning sun during a heatwave on July 9, 2029 in Hunstanton, England. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued yellow heat health alerts for the Midlands, East Anglia, London, and the south-east and south-west regions of England in effect through July 11, as temperatures are forecast to build into heatwave conditions. For some regions affected, the hot spell could mark the third official heatwave of the season, following record-breaking temperatures in May and June. (Photo by Martin Pope\/Getty Images)<br \/>Photographer: Martin Pope<br \/>Provider: Getty Images<br \/>Source: Getty Images Europe<br \/>Copyright: 2026 Martin Pope<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"498\" width=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SEI_305087385.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4642661\" style=\"aspect-ratio:9\/10;object-fit:cover\"\/> <\/p>\n<p>Most of the north of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland will hit temperatures in the mid- to high-20s as well.<\/p>\n<p>How exercise and diet \u2018boosts memory in those with dementia risk\u2019<\/p>\n<p>A study found cognition, memory and executive function were all improved by a structured programme of exercise and brain-healthy food.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"900\" width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SEI_304768129.jpg\" alt=\"LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 2: Pensioners exercise during a fitness class for older people November 2, 2004 in London. The class is part of the government's National Service Framework for Older People scheme which promotes independence and well-being for older people. (Photo by Ian Waldie\/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***\" class=\"wp-image-4639126\" style=\"aspect-ratio:4\/3;object-fit:cover\"  \/>Caption: LONDON, ENGLAND \u2013 NOVEMBER 2:  Pensioners exercise during a fitness class for older people November 2, 2004 in London. The class is part of the government\u2019s National Service Framework for Older People scheme which promotes independence and well-being for older people.      (Photo by Ian Waldie\/Getty Images)   *** Local Caption ***<br \/>Photographer: Ian Waldie<br \/>Provider: Getty Images<br \/>Source: Getty Images Europe<br \/>Copyright: 2004 Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>How the study worked<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Participants were deemed to be at risk of developing\u00a0dementia\u00a0due to age or factors such as high blood pressure.<\/li>\n<li>Half completed a two-year programme of exercise sessions four days a week alongside personalised dietary advice.<\/li>\n<li>Activities were tailored to local culture and included salsa dancing.<\/li>\n<li>Diets were affordable and easy to source locally.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\t<a class=\"inews--shorts-card--article_thumbnail post_in-line_link\" href=\"https:\/\/inews.co.uk\/inews-lifestyle\/games-proven-lower-dementia-risk-play-here-4258632?ico=in-line_link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\"><br \/>\n\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1784013926_730_SEI_287809398.jpg\" width=\"110\" height=\"110\" alt=\"\"\/><br \/>\n\t<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"inews--shorts-card--article_label\">LIFESTYLE<\/p>\n<p class=\"inews--shorts-card--article_min-read\">5 min read<\/p>\n<p>\nThe story in numbers\n<\/p>\n<p class=\"inews--shorts-card--statistic has-size-048-font-size\">1,000 patients<\/p>\n<p>The two-year study included more than 1,000 patients aged 60 to 77 across 11 Latin American countries.<\/p>\n<p>It concluded the exercise, diet and socialising plan followed by half the group generally left them with better memory.<\/p>\n<p class=\"inews--shorts-card--statistic has-size-048-font-size\">1.4 million<\/p>\n<p>Currently, around 1 million people in the UK have dementia. <\/p>\n<p>Alzheimer\u2019s Society estimates this number will grow to 1.4 million by 2040.<\/p>\n<p>What does this mean?<\/p>\n<p>Researchers said that the findings, published in The Lancet, suggest that \u201charmonised, non-pharmacological interventions can be implemented across diverse sociocultural settings\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>They added the programme had produced \u201cmeasurable cognitive benefits in older adults\u201d.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"675\" width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SEI_259962338.jpg\" alt=\"LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 10: Sian Welby takes part in an art class during her visit to Wandsworth Common Care Home ahead of Care Home Open Week on June 10, 2025 in London, England. The radio DJ regularly campaigns for dementia awareness, having shared her own experiences following her father's Alzheimer's diagnosis. (Photo by Tristan Fewings\/Getty Images)\" class=\"wp-image-3823264\" style=\"aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\"  \/>Caption: LONDON, ENGLAND \u2013 JUNE 10: Sian Welby takes part in an art class during her visit to Wandsworth Common Care Home ahead of Care Home Open Week on June 10, 2025 in London, England. The radio DJ regularly campaigns for dementia awareness, having shared her own experiences following her father\u2019s Alzheimer\u2019s diagnosis. (Photo by Tristan Fewings\/Getty Images)<br \/>Photographer: Tristan Fewings<br \/>Provider: Getty Images<br \/>Source: Getty Images Europe<br \/>Copyright: 2025 Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>\t<a class=\"inews--shorts-card--article_thumbnail post_in-line_link\" href=\"https:\/\/inews.co.uk\/inews-lifestyle\/55-gp-gave-all-clear-dementia-was-wrong-4616401?ico=in-line_link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\"><br \/>\n\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SEI_303501212.jpg\" width=\"110\" height=\"110\" alt=\"\"\/><br \/>\n\t<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"inews--shorts-card--article_label\">LIFESTYLE<\/p>\n<p class=\"inews--shorts-card--article_min-read\">4 min read<\/p>\n<p class=\"inews--shorts-card--badge\">SCIENCE<\/p>\n<p>Are women really better at multitasking?<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"675\" width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SEI_305096964.jpg\" alt=\"MAJADAHONDA, MADRID, SPAIN - MAY 11. Virginia Bejar, the photographer's partner, strives to work at home while holding her six-month-old daughter Olivia, also the photographer's daughter, during the Covid-19 lockdown on May 11, 2020, in Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain. Some parts of Spain have entered &quot;Phase One&quot; of transition from the coronavirus lockdown, allowing many shops to reopen as well as restaurants who serve customers outdoors. Locations that were harder hit by coronavirus (COVID-19), such as Madrid and Barcelona, remain in a stricter &quot;Phase 0&quot; quarantine. Across the country workers who can do their jobs from home like Bejar are obliged to do so. In fact,??? most business offices still remain closed. (Photo by Miguel Pereira\/Getty Images)\" class=\"wp-image-4643150\" style=\"aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\"  \/>Caption: MAJADAHONDA, MADRID, SPAIN \u2013 MAY 11. Virginia Bejar, the photographer\u2019s partner, strives to work at home while holding her six-month-old daughter Olivia, also the photographer\u2019s daughter, during the Covid-19 lockdown on May 11, 2020, in Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain. Some parts of Spain have entered \u201cPhase One\u201d of transition from the coronavirus lockdown, allowing many shops to reopen as well as restaurants who serve customers outdoors. Locations that were harder hit by coronavirus (COVID-19), such as Madrid and Barcelona, remain in a stricter \u201cPhase 0\u201d quarantine. Across the country workers who can do their jobs from home like Bejar are obliged to do so. In fact,??? most business offices still remain closed. (Photo by Miguel Pereira\/Getty Images)<br \/>Photographer: Miguel Pereira<br \/>Provider: Getty Images<br \/>Source: Getty Images Europe<\/p>\n<p>A new study has defied the stereotype, finding women and men have the same multitasking abilities. <\/p>\n<p>But it also found that men are worse at answering questions while doing other tasks under pressure.<\/p>\n<p>\nWhat does the study tell us?\n<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The study challenged men and women to a series of tests they had to juggle for 10 minutes.<\/li>\n<li>There were no gender differences in the ability to balance these tasks and accomplish them.<\/li>\n<li>But it found that men were more than twice as likely to fall silent as women \u2013 failing to respond to 28 per cent of questions versus  just 12 per cent for women.<\/li>\n<li>Another group were asked to observe this footage. They reported the men looked more miserable and less able to concentrate.<\/li>\n<li>This indicates men merely give the appearance they cannot multitask.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Who did the study and why?<\/p>\n<p>The study, published in Psychological Research, was conducted by husband and wife Andr\u00e9 Szameitat and Diana Szameitat.<\/p>\n<p>Their experience raising two children inspired the research and format of the 10-minute multitasking test.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"675\" width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SEI_305096962.jpg\" alt=\"Berlin, Germany - March 23: In this Photo Illustration about workload a man sitting at a desk exhausted on March 23, 2016 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo Illustration by Thomas Trutschel\/Photothek via Getty Images)\" class=\"wp-image-4643152\" style=\"aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\"  \/>Caption: Berlin, Germany \u2013 March 23: In this Photo Illustration about workload a man sitting at a desk exhausted on March 23, 2016 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo Illustration by Thomas Trutschel\/Photothek via Getty Images)<br \/>Photographer: Thomas Trutschel<br \/>Provider: Photothek via Getty Images<br \/>Source: Photothek<\/p>\n<p>\t<a class=\"inews--shorts-card--article_thumbnail post_in-line_link\" href=\"https:\/\/inews.co.uk\/inews-lifestyle\/stopped-multitasking-within-week-memory-improved-3955969?ico=in-line_link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\"><br \/>\n\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SEI_268806348.jpg\" width=\"110\" height=\"110\" alt=\"\"\/><br \/>\n\t<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"inews--shorts-card--article_label\">Big Read<\/p>\n<p class=\"inews--shorts-card--article_min-read\">7 min read<\/p>\n<p>The key takeaway<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\" style=\"position: relative;\">\n<p>Reduced talkativeness in the workplace may be perceived as impolite or even rude\u2026Future research should examine whether training might help maintain verbal abilities under pressure.<\/p>\n<p>Dr Andr\u00e9 Szameitat, co-author of the study<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"601\" width=\"760\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SEI_305096578.jpg\" alt=\"1960s FRUSTRATED YOUNG REDHEADED WOMAN TRYING TO ANSWER HANDLE FIVE TELEPHONE RECEIVERS STUDIO (Photo by H. Armstrong Roberts\/ClassicStock\/Getty Images)\" class=\"wp-image-4643155\" style=\"aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\"  \/>Caption: 1960s FRUSTRATED YOUNG REDHEADED WOMAN TRYING TO ANSWER HANDLE FIVE TELEPHONE RECEIVERS STUDIO  (Photo by H. Armstrong Roberts\/ClassicStock\/Getty Images)<br \/>Photographer: DreamMedia<br \/>Source: Archive Photos<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"507\" width=\"760\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SEI_257076001.jpg\" alt=\"Arms shoving a small piece of luggage to the top shelf of an aircraft\" class=\"wp-image-3775328\" style=\"aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\"  \/>Caption: Arms shoving a small piece of luggage to the top shelf of an aircraft<br \/>Photographer: yacobchuk<br \/>Provider: Getty Images<br \/>Source: iStockphoto<\/p>\n<p class=\"inews--shorts-card--badge\">TRAVEL<\/p>\n<p>Everything we know about new hand luggage rules<\/p>\n<p>Under new rules from the European Parliament, airline passengers will have better rights to compensation, seating fees and \u2013 crucially \u2013 cabin baggage allowances.<\/p>\n<p>What you need to know<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The new rules include the right to carry on board one cabin bag up to  40x30x15cm, without an additional fee.<\/li>\n<li>Airlines like Ryanair, EasyJet and Wizz Air will no longer be allowed to charge passengers extra for this.<\/li>\n<li>The cabin bag is in addition to the small personal item already allowed for free.<\/li>\n<li>The new rules will come into force in 2027.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\t<a class=\"inews--shorts-card--article_thumbnail post_in-line_link\" href=\"https:\/\/inews.co.uk\/inews-lifestyle\/travel\/new-eu-airline-rules-benefit-uk-passengers-4482123?ico=in-line_link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\"><br \/>\n\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SEI_301765485.jpg\" width=\"110\" height=\"110\" alt=\"\"\/><br \/>\n\t<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"inews--shorts-card--article_label\">TRAVEL<\/p>\n<p class=\"inews--shorts-card--article_min-read\">4 min read<\/p>\n<p>How does this affect UK travellers?<\/p>\n<p>Flights to the EU from the UK will not technically have to comply with these rules. <\/p>\n<p>But, according to Which?, the reality is that airlines will apply the same rules both ways as the alterative would be \u201cimpractical\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>It is also understood that Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander is considering implementing the same rules here, too.<\/p>\n<p>\t<a class=\"inews--shorts-card--article_thumbnail post_in-line_link\" href=\"https:\/\/inews.co.uk\/inews-lifestyle\/celebrity-stylist-pack-summer-holiday-hand-luggage-4466277?ico=in-line_link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\"><br \/>\n\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SEI_301907403.jpg\" width=\"110\" height=\"110\" alt=\"\"\/><br \/>\n\t<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"inews--shorts-card--article_label\">LIFESTYLE<\/p>\n<p class=\"inews--shorts-card--article_min-read\">4 min read<\/p>\n<p>\t<a class=\"inews--shorts-card--article_thumbnail post_in-line_link\" href=\"https:\/\/inews.co.uk\/news\/missed-flight-post-brexit-checks-easyjet-abandoned-us-4353034?ico=in-line_link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\"><br \/>\n\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SEI_293039388_b1e7bd.jpg\" width=\"110\" height=\"110\" alt=\"\"\/><br \/>\n\t<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"inews--shorts-card--article_label\">NEWS<\/p>\n<p class=\"inews--shorts-card--article_min-read\">3 min read<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/inews.co.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/inews-theme\/assets\/images\/chevron.svg\" alt=\"\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, 83 per cent of pharmacies are unable to respond to patients\u2019 phone calls and emails as promptly as usual due to the pressures they are facing, and staff in nearly two in five pharmacies (39 per cent) are unable to spend as much time supporting and advising patients as they would like.<\/p>\n<p>Fin McCaul, owner of Prestwich Pharmacy in Greater Manchester, said the rising cost of medicines has also put pharmacies under pressure, with the prices of some individual drugs resulting in losses of \u00a350 a month.<\/p>\n<p>McCaul said: \u201cThe concession price for aspirin was \u00a32.36 this month, but most of the month I\u2019ve been buying it at \u00a32.90. It may not seem a lot, a loss of 50p per pack, but actually when you\u2019re [dispensing] 100 packs a month and 200 packs a month, that soon grows.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Record numbers of price concessions, temporary adjustments to the amount pharmacies are reimbursed by the Government for medicines, have been granted month after month this year.<\/p>\n<p>McCaul said his staff are spending \u201chours every day trying to source medicines\u201d. And they are not the only ones. <\/p>\n<p>Data from the survey shows 72 per cent of pharmacy team members said patients are affected by medicine shortages every day. There are various reasons for medicine supply issues, including shortages of raw ingredients, but pharmaceutical experts say the <a class=\"post_in-line_link\" href=\"https:\/\/inews.co.uk\/news\/politics\/britons-face-higher-food-fuel-prices-2027-risk-recession-4381204?srsltid=AfmBOopVLijuBYkc6GCDeYIgsHJUKVrphap3qRZpk2z_9K2DOSxFoSka&amp;ico=in-line_link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">war in Iran<\/a> has also exacerbated the issue.<\/p>\n<p>McCaul, who has been a pharmacist for around 40 years, said he has \u201cnever seen it as bad as this\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>Patients are waiting days \u2013 or even weeks \u2013 for their prescriptions to be fulfilled. \u201cThe anxiety that the patient goes through and the frustrations that the patient has where they\u2019re turning up every day to go, \u2018have the tablets arrived yet?\u2019 It\u2019s not good for patient care.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"507\" width=\"760\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SEI_238810207.jpg\" alt=\"LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 19: A pharmacist prepares a prescription at the Keencare pharmacy, a member of the Green Light Group, on September 19, 2024 in London, England. UK Pharmacies vote today on whether to cut their opening hours from more than 60 per week to 40 in protest of the lack of government funding. The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) represents some 6,000 pharmacies across the UK and says 1500 have closed since 2016 because of higher workloads. Government funding has fallen by 40% in real terms since 2015-2016. (Photo by Leon Neal\/Getty Images)\" class=\"wp-image-4643673\"  \/>Pharmacists are spending hours trying to source patient medicines due to shortages (Photo: Leon Neal\/Getty)<\/p>\n<p>A number of <a class=\"post_in-line_link\" href=\"https:\/\/inews.co.uk\/news\/patients-face-painkiller-blood-pressure-drug-shortages-4196218?srsltid=AfmBOoq7D2W5JXPEy6gyfi8Zhx2QvFS2Cf1urwXQ2WYbN95Xs9K2SBkC&amp;ico=in-line_link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">cardiovascular medications are in short supply<\/a>, including Ramipril, which patients with high blood pressure and heart failure need to take daily.<\/p>\n<p>Epilepsy patients have also experienced challenges getting the medication they need to manage seizures. Charlotte Nero, 39, from London, has been having difficulty getting hold of her life-saving epilepsy medication for weeks.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere\u2019s times when I\u2019ve had to go to multiple different pharmacies to try and get the Keppra brand because if I take the generic version \u2013 which is levetiracetam, which is the main ingredient \u2013 the side effects are very different,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI ran out of the Keppra brand the other day and I had to get the levetiracetam and the following day I spent half the day lying down because my head was thumping, I felt sick, I had really horrid headaches and then when I was able to then start using the Keppra, a lot of the side effects went away.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Nero, a stay-at-home mother of two, said not being able to get her prescription for epilepsy medication fulfilled means she has to call on her mum to help out with childcare.<\/p>\n<p>At times, she has had to ration her medication, taking a single dose instead of taking a tablet in the morning and night or even splitting a tablet in two.<\/p>\n<p>Without adequate supply of her medication, Nero fears she could have an absent or tonic-clonic seizure and end up in hospital.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou have a build-up of anxiety and stress,\u201d she said. \u201cA lot of <a class=\"post_in-line_link\" href=\"https:\/\/inews.co.uk\/inews-lifestyle\/period-seizure-menstruation-impacts-people-epilepsy-2301727?srsltid=AfmBOooZVc1X5OTDbnH0CBvdl2YUcZKtMyxsU1K9N6Hd2cO2r8KxJcKG&amp;ico=in-line_link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">seizures can be triggered by stress, lack of sleep, anxiety<\/a>, and so when [those] feelings are heightened, that alone can be known to trigger seizures.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Clare Pelham, Epilepsy Society CEO, said: \u201cWe understand how worrying it can be for patients to run low on essential medication. Epilepsy is a cliff-edge condition which means that missing even a single dose can have life-threatening consequences. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cMany people with epilepsy are also either brand dependent or need to take the same generic medication to manage their seizures. So, while it has been suggested that people can swap out their medication if there is a shortage, this isn\u2019t an option for many people with epilepsy.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe are calling on the Government to ensure their essential medicine supply chains are robust and water-tight so that no one is left vulnerable to global events.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Janet Morrison, chief executive of Community Pharmacy England, said the survey results show \u201cpharmacies are not sustainable, and that the pressures on them are directly affecting patient access to medicines and care\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>She added: \u201cIt is very troubling that pharmacies are having to reduce opening hours and introduce new charges for things that have previously been free to patients \u2013 and this goes directly against Government\u2019s ambitions to shift more healthcare, closer to home.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Pharmacies across England are struggling to serve patients due to severe financial losses and medicine shortages, meaning patients&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":584752,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[274],"tags":[18,135,474,19,17,462,96,18387],"class_list":["post-584751","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-medication","tag-eire","tag-health","tag-healthcare","tag-ie","tag-ireland","tag-medication","tag-medicine","tag-pharmacies"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@ie\/116917145015822118","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/584751","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=584751"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/584751\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/584752"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=584751"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=584751"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=584751"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}