NHS faces statins crisis as pharmacies report ‘desperate’ shortages of life-saving drug

Statins are in short supply across the country with pharmacists facing a ‘desperate’ struggle to obtain the life-saving drugs.

Almost eight million Britons rely on statins to lower their cholesterol levels, which in turn reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

But atorvastatin, the most popular statin prescribed by the NHS, is missing from many chemists nationwide.

Community Pharmacy England, the representative body for pharmacy owners, raised the alarm after being warned by its members that they were unable to access supplies of the daily tablet.

‘They are desperately trying to get hold of limited stock,’ added a spokesman.

The shortage has led to prices soaring, with the cost of a pack of atorvastatin rising from 49p to about £5.30 in the past six weeks. This means many pharmacies cannot afford to buy the medicine, although they will ultimately be reimbursed by the NHS

The shortage has led to prices soaring, with the cost of a pack of atorvastatin rising from 49p to about £5.30 in the past six weeks. This means many pharmacies cannot afford to buy the medicine, although they will ultimately be reimbursed by the NHS.

‘This is an incredibly frustrating situation for patients and pharmacists,’ said Leyla Hannbeck, chief executive of the Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies. ‘Patients are prescribed a specific statin, so it’s not as if a pharmacist can just hand out an alternative – patients have to go back to their GP for a new prescription. This delays the time it is taking for patients to access a crucial drug.’

Britain has been battling a medicines shortage crisis for more than a year. In February, The Mail on Sunday revealed that an unprecedented 70 commonly taken drugs were temporarily out of stock, including antibiotics, HRT drugs and painkillers.

These shortages have in the past been linked to increased demand for medicines. But the scramble to obtain atorvastatin is thought to be down to the slow speed at which drugs are passing through customs into the UK.

‘This has always been a very popular medicine, so there has been no spike in demand,’ said Ms Hannbeck.

‘There is clearly something very wrong with the supply chain of medicines entering this country.

‘It’s a mess which is costing the taxpayer money and the Government needs to sort it out.’