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Three more children have died from strep A, it has emerged, and pharmacists in the UK have been told they can supply alternative antibiotics originally prescribed, to ease shortages of certain forms of penicillin.
UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data shows that at least 19 children have now died across the UK, while there have been 7,750 cases of scarlet fever so far this season. This is more than three times the 2,538 at the same point in the year during the last comparatively high season of 2017 to 2018.
However, the increase in notifications came at a different stage that year. In 2017 to 2018, there were a total of 30,768 scarlet fever notifications.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has issued Severe Shortage Protocols (SSPs) for three penicillin drugs amid rising demand for antibiotics.
Pharmacists and GPs in the UK have faced serious difficulties securing supplies of penicillin and amoxicillin, antibiotics used to treat infections including strep A. As a result, parents have reported visiting a series of pharmacies to obtain prescribed medications for their sick children. While the price of some antibiotics has risen sharply – a situation pharmacists say they have faced at a loss.
Steve Barclay, the health secretary, previously said there was no shortage of antibiotics and stocks could be moved if areas were experiencing supply problems.
However, on Monday the DHSC, which oversees Barclays, issued a supply alert for certain antibiotics used to treat infections such as strep A.
On Wednesday UKHSA chief medical adviser Professor Susan Hopkins told a webinar hosted by the Royal Society of Medicine that demand for some antibiotics had increased significantly.
“I’ve been told in the last few days that we’re using five times more penicillin than we were using three weeks ago,” she added, adding that “there may be some behind-the-door profiteering.” “It will not affect patients.
It was announced on Wednesday that the Competition and Markets Authority will look into rising prices of antibiotics.
SSPs eliminate the need for a patient to return to their prescription to obtain a new prescription if a particular drug is not available. Instead, a pharmacist can issue a legally prescribed alternative.
It is hoped that, while saving time for GP practices, it will make it easier for patients to access the medicines they need.
The new SSPs, which are classified as active as of January 31, apply to three medicines: phenoxymethylpenicillin 250mg/5ml oral solution sugar-free, phenoxymethylpenicillin 250mg/5ml oral solution and phenoxymethylpenicillin 125mg/5ml oral solution sugar-free.
According to the DHSC, nine other SSPs are currently active, many of which are hormone replacement therapy drugs.
Health Minister Will Quince said: “The increased demand for antibiotics prescribed to treat strep A means that some pharmacists are unable to supply the medicine indicated on prescription.
“This critical shortage protocol will allow pharmacists to supply an alternative form of penicillin, making things easier for them, patients and GPs.
“We are taking decisive steps to improve access to these medicines by continuing to work with manufacturers and wholesalers to overcome these temporary issues and speed up delivery, bring stock forward and help ensure they get to where they need them. We are taking decisive steps to increase supply. Request as soon as possible.”
Speaking Wednesday, Hopkins added that a “deep dive” was underway for those who were seriously ill from strep A.
“We know that, for example, about one-third of invasive cases had other respiratory viruses detected at the same time,” she said, noting that perhaps co-infection means the bacteria are more likely to travel to the lungs. And creates a serious problem. But she added: “That’s speculation at the moment.”
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