HEALTH bosses say supplies of a key drug will be resolved within days after a cancer patient was told every chemist in Edinburgh had run out of her medication.
The woman, who asked to remain anonymous, tried to collect a month’s worth of hormonal therapy drug Provera at her regular pharmacy in Edinburgh.
However, staff told her there was none left – and that supplies had run out in all of the capital’s pharmacies.
She eventually secured supplies from her cancer support unit at the Edinburgh Western General, which had limited stocks.
When she was subsequently admitted to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for an infection, she found out that they too had run out of Provera, which is made by international pharmaceutical giant Pfizer.
When approached by the Sunday National, the company said the “short-term interruption of supply” has affected the UK as a whole.
The woman’s husband said: “If it was happening to one person, it was happening to lots and lots of others.
“The supply is hand-to-mouth. We had to go door-to-door to get it.
“If you are quite ill, then it’s one more piece of angst you don’t need.”
Provera, also known as medroxyprogesterone acetate, is used to tackle breast, womb and kidney cancers as well as to boost appetite or reduce hot flushes experienced as a side effect of treatment for other conditions.
In a statement, Pfizer said: “There has been a short-term interruption of supply of Provera in the UK. Pfizer recognises the importance of the consistent availability of Provera to patients and is working hard to minimise the impact of the shortage on our customers and patients.
“The product will be shipped to the market in the coming days, and we expect to continue to improve the market supply position of Provera over the coming months.
“The temporary constraint in supply is due to technical issues in the manufacturing site which has resulted in a delay in packaging.”
Tracey Gillies, medical director of NHS Lothian, said: “There was a supply problem with certain strengths of the drug, however other strengths are available.
“We have been assured by the manufacturer that this is being resolved and supplies should be available to pharmacies from early next week.”
She went on: “Community pharmacists are well placed to support patients who are having difficulties obtaining their medications, in some circumstances it may require the patient to be referred back to their general practice.”
Victoria Steven, spokesperson for Cancer Research UK in Scotland, said: “Going through treatment for cancer is an anxious time, and we’re sorry to hear this patient has had the added distress of not being able to obtain her prescription.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel