Carers in the UK are feeling the added strain of the ongoing medication shortages, facing heightened stress and financial strain, increasing demands on their already stretched budgets and time, as they attempt to source the vital medications they need.
Chloe, a carer from Lincolnshire, recounts the difficulties she has faced when trying to obtain insulin for her partner with type 1 diabetes. Despite the medication shortages, she persisted, contacting numerous pharmacies until finding a suitable alternative. However, the unfamiliarity of the new insulin device and delays in prescription processing added to her stress. Additionally, the financial strain of travelling to pharmacies with available supplies has made things even more challenging.
“I care for my partner who is prescribed insulin for his type 1 diabetes. For a couple of months, we’ve had issues getting his prescription. We first realised an issue with medication shortages when our local pharmacy said they didn’t have my partner’s insulin available and could not provide an alternative. We were informed there was a shortage of insulin.
“To get his medication I had to ring fifteen different pharmacies before I found one who could provide a like for like alternative, so he got the medication he needed. He was given a new insulin device that was unfamiliar to the one he used to have but is getting used to it.
There continues to be issues with the amount of time it takes for his medication to be ready after putting in his prescription to be processed. The whole situation has caused a lot of stress.”
The situation is equally concerning for carers like David, who must manage their own health conditions while caring. David, a full time carer for his wife with severe physical and mental health issues, shares his struggles with obtaining medication for his heart condition. Shortages often leave him without medication for days, jeopardising his
wellbeing and ability to provide care. David's wife's own medication needs add to the complexity, requiring support from her carers to ensure access to essential treatments, such as eye drops for her cataract.
“As well as caring for my wife, I also need to look after my own heart condition where I need to take medication to help me to stay well. I need to take five different tablets twice a day. If I don’t take my medication, I can’t do anything, I can’t function properly.
“There have often been occasions where I have been without my medication for three or four days due to the pharmacy being unable to provide the full amount of my prescription.
They never seem to have enough, which is worrying. I’m a full time carer for my wife so it’s important that I stay as well as I can and the current situation with medication shortages is not helping me to do this.
“As well as other conditions, my wife has a cataract and lately, she had to wait five days before her eye drops were available. I’ve had so much trouble trying to get my wife’s medication that one of her carers now support me to get her prescription.”
These medication shortages not only jeopardise the health of vulnerable people with significant care needs but also intensify the challenges faced by their carers. The continuous struggle to access vital medicines poses a significant risk of further declines in health, emphasising the urgent need for solutions to alleviate the problem and ensure uninterrupted access to essential medications.
Sarah Cahalan, Director of Services for Carers First said:
“We are hearing from so many carers about these issues. We are available to support carers through our helpline and online, and anyone with concerns should contact their GP. However, this is clearly a major issue for so many carers and the government should be taking proactive steps to improve the situation.”
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