Pharmacists should be given greater authority to solve medicines shortages when they occur and governments should, as soon as possible, instruct medicines regulatory authorities to investigate and develop proposals giving such extended powers to pharmacists. This is one of a number of recommendations in a new Statement of Policy on Medicines Shortages published today by FIP.

“The causes of shortages are several, multidimensional and sometimes unpredictable. In the context of a complex global supply chain and a globalised market, there is a growing concern among all stakeholders — including patients, healthcare professionals, governmental organisations, pharmaceutical wholesalers and the pharmaceutical industry — about the future of medicines supplies worldwide,” said Lars-Åke Söderlund, chair of FIP’s Medicines Shortages Policy Committee and President of FIP’s Community Pharmacy Section.