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Forty-five MPs have signed a letter calling on Health Secretary Wes Streeting to review and address the cause of medication shortages and help safeguard people’s health.
Lead signatory, Cat Smith MP, said recent news around the death of 44-year-old David Crompton, who died after getting an IOU for his medicine from his pharmacy, has added real urgency to their call.
She said: “Medication shortages have been a crucial issue over the last year and in our letter, we warned the Health Secretary that the shortages of epilepsy medications could result in fatal seizures.
“It is vital that the Health Secretary takes action now before there is another tragedy. One death is a death too many. Our hearts go out to the family and friends of David.”
A survey by charities Parkinson’s UK, Epilepsy Action, Epilepsy Society and SUDEP Action of almost 1,500 people with Parkinson’s disease or epilepsy looked at difficulties accessing medication.
It showed that 70% of respondents had experienced difficulties in getting vital medication. Also, 55% said they had to visit multiple pharmacies before getting their prescription fulfilled and 66% only got a fraction of their medication due to limited supplies.
People also reported worsening symptoms of their conditions due to the shortages.
The MPs worked with Epilepsy Action, Epilepsy Society and SUDEP Action to put the letter together. They said: “As Members of Parliament, we all have constituents whose lives have been deeply, sometimes irreversibly, damaged by the shortage of medications they need to function and live.
“The delays experienced in getting their vital treatment have forced patients to go without their medication or switch to inadequate alternatives. Doing so places those with epilepsy at risk of sudden, sometimes fatal, seizures.
“If action is not taken to properly understand the crisis we face, and explore potential solutions, it will worsen. A review into the shortage of vital medications is urgently needed.”
Medication shortages have been an issue for over a year.
As well as the news of David Crompton, the recent news around the death of Charlie Marriage has highlighted the urgency of the problem for people with epilepsy.
If you are concerned about getting access to your medication, you can contact the Epilepsy Action Helpline.
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