A former nurse from Wolverhampton died in June, weeks after her family reported being unable to obtain her regular dementia medication, Galantamine, due to national supply problems. Pearl Roche, 73, had been diagnosed with dementia and took daily Galantamine tablets, which her family believed improved her quality of life.
Her family's struggle to get the medication intensified in May when their home supply ran out. Four days later, Ms Roche was admitted to hospital, where her condition reportedly declined rapidly. New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton confirmed it did not have Galantamine for the first 48 hours of her admission.
The Department of Health has acknowledged intermittent supply issues affecting Galantamine, though it states that the vast majority of medicines are in good supply. It has issued guidance to the NHS to help clinicians manage these issues, including advice on alternative medications. The government also stated it is engaging with other countries to bolster supplies and enhance domestic manufacturing capability.
The National Pharmacy Association has previously raised concerns about drug shortages over the past year, attributing them to factors such as global supply chain issues and the UK's narrow supply chain for medicines. A spokesperson for the association highlighted the potential patient safety risks associated with these shortages.