Amandeep Doll, Director for England at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS), gave oral evidence on 5 November to the House of Lords Public Services Committee Inquiry into medicines security across the UK.

The aim of the inquiry is to understand the causes of medicine shortages, the UK's capabilities in predicting and preventing medicine supply issues, and minimising patient harms.

In her evidence, Amandeep highlighted the critical role pharmacists play in managing shortages on the frontline and called for urgent action to strengthen medicines security. She emphasised the need for:

• Greater transparency and data sharing across the supply chain to anticipate and mitigate shortages
• Pharmacy system leadership to support patient access to medicines and deliver the UK’s life sciences ambitions
• A national medicines shortage strategy from Government that includes clear guidance for pharmacy teams and healthcare professionals
• Improved communication channels between government, regulators, and the NHS to ensure timely updates and coordinated responses.

Read our written evidence to the Inquiry.

RPS Director for England Amandeep Doll said:

“Medicine shortages are not just a supply chain issue, they directly impact patient care and safety. Pharmacists are often the first to identify and respond to shortages, but they need better tools, clearer guidance, and stronger support to do so effectively. We urge the Government to prioritise medicines security as a matter of national resilience.”

RPS published a comprehensive report, Medicine Shortages: Solutions for empty shelves, in 2024. It explores the dynamics and economics of the medicines supply to the UK and makes recommendations for collaborative action across the country and local systems to manage shortages to help alleviate the impact on patients and the burden on pharmacists.

Watch Amandeep speak at the Committee:

 

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