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A watchdog has launched an investigation into sharp increases in the price of antibiotics after a rise in the number of children sickened by strep A.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said on Wednesday it had launched an investigation and was gathering evidence following price hikes over the past fortnight.
Drug companies have been accused of price gouging, with some pharmacists saying they are being charged up to £19 for a box of medicines that normally cost around £2.
Pharmacies say they are losing thousands of pounds a week because they can only reimburse a fraction of what drugs actually cost from the NHS.
“We are currently working to establish the facts of what is happening in the market and welcome new information as part of our work,” the CMA said in a statement. “We are ready to take action if there is evidence of anti-competitive behavior that violates the law.
“People have real concerns about the cost of antibiotics used to treat strep A and we want companies to be clear about their obligations under the law. There should be no doubt that it is illegal for a dominant company to charge excessive prices or for any companies to conspire to raise prices.”
Group A strep bacteria can cause many different infections ranging from minor illnesses to life-threatening illnesses. While most infections are mild, sometimes the bacteria can cause a life-threatening illness called invasive group A streptococcal disease.
At least 16 children have died from invasive strep A infections across the UK and there has been a sharp rise in cases of scarlet fever.
The UK Health Security Agency has said that there is no evidence that a new strain is circulating and that cases are likely to rise, largely due to higher amounts of circulating bacteria and increased social mixing.
Along with the sudden price hike, pharmacies are also reporting a struggle to get antibiotics, with parents forced to go from pharmacy to pharmacy to find medicines for sick children.
The Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies has said the problem is getting worse and urged the government to take action.
Health Secretary Steve Barclay said there was no shortage of antibiotics and stocks could be moved if areas were experiencing supply problems.
However, on Monday the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), which oversees Barclays, issued a supply alert of antibiotics to treat strep A.
“The supply of antibiotics to treat group A strep has seen an increase in demand and some wholesalers and pharmacies may have temporarily limited supplies,” the warning said. “Manufacturers have supplies available, and deliveries to wholesalers and pharmacies are being expedited and are expected in the coming days.”
Rina Barai of the National Pharmacy Association said earlier this week that the supply chain for drugs in the UK is “broken”.
A DHSC spokesman said: “Producers currently have a supply of antibiotics available to treat Strep A.
“We continue to work with manufacturers and wholesalers to expedite delivery, ensure they get to where they need to be and help increase supply to meet demand as quickly as possible and bring stock forward to support access to these important medicines.”
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