Medicine prices are rising because it is becoming more expensive and more difficult for manufacturers and suppliers to get medicines into the UK. Global tensions have pushed up energy and transport costs, and many medicines rely on ingredients made from oil, which has also become pricier.
At the same time, some manufacturers say UK prices have been kept so low that distributing certain drugs in the UK is no longer viable, leading to shortages that drive up wholesale costs for pharmacies.
For people with long-term conditions, the uncertainty is terrifying. Chris Henry, 49, takes a Co Careldopa medication for his Parkinson’s Disease. Like Lamotrigine, his medication has been added to the government’s concessions list.
After hearing about the shortages, Chris placed his next order, and hopes the new medication will arrive before he runs out.
“This is genuinely concerning,” he says. He has four children and works full time, and knows that if he doesn’t take his correct medications then his body control and dyskinesia will be far less predictable, and less manageable.
“Trying to manage medication for Parkinson’s Disease is a nightmare at the best of times, so thinking there is a shortage is incredibly worrying and scary. These medications make my life liveable,” says Chris.
