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Competition regulator to investigate antibiotics price rise following surge in Strep A cases | UK News


The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) launched an investigation after antibiotic prices skyrocketed following Strep A infections.

Pharmaceutical companies have been accused of raising prices after some pharmacies said they were charged up to £19 for a box of pills that normally cost several pounds.

Pharmacies say they lose thousands every week as they can only recoup part of the cost of the drug from the NHS.

They also report that parents have to go from pharmacy to pharmacy trying to find medicine for the poor children, as they struggle to get antibiotics.

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On Monday, the Department of Health announced the supply of antibiotics to treat Strep A. The Department of Health said supplies “may be temporarily limited” at some wholesalers and pharmacies. .

This follows a statement by Health Secretary Steve Barclay, who said there was no shortage of antibiotics and inventory can be moved around if any particular area has supply problems.

Now, a spokesperson for the CMA has said: “People are really concerned about the price of antibiotics used to treat Strep A and we want companies to be clear about their obligations under the law.

“There is no doubt that it is illegal for a dominant company to overvalue or any company to collude to push prices up.

“We are working to establish the truth about what is happening in the market and welcome new information as part of our work.

“We stand ready to take action if there is evidence of anti-competitive behavior that violates the law.”

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Antibiotics prices ‘more than doubled’

Last week, a pharmaceutical leader told Sky News That shortage has been fueled by “complicated supply chains” for drugs and the raw materials used to make them, in various parts of the world.

However, the industry has also seen “a spike in demand for the drug” – after a sharp drop in demand during the COVID-19 pandemic, when people didn’t mix up or see a GP.

The Department of Health and Social Care told Sky News at the time that it was “normal” for prices to “fluctuate with demand”.

Read more:
Sixteenth child dies in Sussex from suspected infection
Many pharmacies claim they cannot get hold of antibiotics

The Association of Independent Pharmacists (AIMP) has called on the government to act as the problem is getting worse.

Faheem Ahmed told Sky News he only has three boxes of antibiotics – with many out of stock. He said that in the 10 years since he qualified, he has never known of a drug shortage.

“I hope it’s temporary, but we’re dealing with bacteria here, so when you say transient, these bacteria multiply in minutes, seconds,” he said.

“They won’t wait two, three, four days so whether it’s temporary or permanent, if you look at it from a scientific level… the infection will spread.”

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A spokesman for the Department of Health and Social Care said on Wednesday: “Manufacturers now have readily available supplies of antibiotics to treat Strep A.

“We continue to work urgently with manufacturers and wholesalers to accelerate deliveries, forward the stock they have to help ensure goods get where they are needed, and increase supplies to meet respond to demand as quickly as possible and support access to these important drugs.”

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