Penicillin for Strep A is so scarce in pharmacies that the government has relaxed rules to allow pharmacists to prescribe alternatives.
The government has issued strict shortage protocols for three liquid forms of penicillin commonly prescribed to children after pharmacists reported shortages for almost two weeks following a rise in cases of bacterial infections and scarlet fever.
The latest data showed that three more children in the UK have died of invasive Streptococcus A, bringing the total number of children to 18. The death of a child in Wales is also under investigation for a link to Streptococcus A.
For penicillin, the law requiring patients to return to their GP to change a prescription if the drug is out of stock will be relaxed so pharmacies can quickly find alternatives.
This is the first time the government has acknowledged a serious shortage of antibiotics for Strep A, after initially saying there was no nationwide shortage.
The move is a sign that health ministers and officials are stepping up the response to the outbreak, which has seen the most cases of invasive streptococcus A (iGAS) and scarlet fever in several years.
The British Health Safety Agency has announced that, in a separate phase, vulnerable close contacts of people with invasive Streptococcus A infections will be given antibiotics to stem the rise in cases.
NHS 111 has been inundated with calls from concerned parents about strep A, scarlet fever and iGAS, and requests for infections have doubled from the same week last year.
Severe shortage protocols apply to three options for phenoxymethylpenicillin, also known as penicillin V, the first-choice drug for strep A infection, including 250mg/5mL oral solution, a sugar-free alternative, and 125mg/5mL. ml 5 ml medicine without sugar.
The protocol allows pharmacists to legally dispense a specific alternative drug when supplies run low, eliminating the need for a patient to see a GP.
According to existing rules, a pharmacist can only dispense what is written in the prescription.
The Department of Health said the increased demand means “some pharmacists are experiencing temporary and local supply issues and may not have a specific prescription on the prescription.”
Health Secretary Will Ivins said: “We are taking decisive action to address these temporary challenges and increase access to these medicines by continuing to work with manufacturers and wholesalers to expedite shipments, pre-load the supplies they need to ensure they get there. where they are needed and increasing supply to meet demand as soon as possible.”
Earlier this week, the government imposed an export ban on four antibiotics, including penicillin V and amoxicillin, in a bid to shore up supplies to the UK.
Under amendments issued by the UKHSA, women at 37 weeks pregnant and beyond, new mothers and their babies, those over 75 and those who had chickenpox in the past week will be given antibiotics if they have been in close contact. in patients with invasive streptococcus A (iGAS), even if they are asymptomatic.
Previously, antibiotics were recommended only for close contacts with symptoms of streptococcus A, such as fever, sore throat and skin rash, or newborns whose mothers had the disease.
The move is likely to put additional pressure on the supply of antibiotics.
A total of 74 people died from iGAS in England, including 16 children, and two more in Wales and Northern Ireland. Public health officials are investigating the death of a second child in Wales for a link to Streptococcus A.
In the first week of December there were 1221 cases of scarlet fever versus 1062 the week before and 836 cases of iGAS versus 652.
Source: I News
I’m Raymond Molina, a professional writer and journalist with over 5 years of experience in the media industry. I currently work for 24 News Reporters, where I write for the health section of their news website. In my role, I am responsible for researching and writing stories on current health trends and issues. My articles are often seen as thought-provoking pieces that provide valuable insight into the state of society’s wellbeing.