Antibiotics used to treat Strep A in short supply in the island

Chief pharmacist Bev Hall said Health & Social Care was aware of stock issues, despite local pharmacies holding a greater supply than those in the UK.

It follows last week’s warnings that local pharmacies were struggling for staff and stock.

‘Just like in the NHS, pharmacies on the islands have been affected by stock shortages because of Brexit and Covid-19 related matters, as we see an increase in the worldwide demand for medicines,’ she said.

‘The recent outbreak of iGAS [invasive Group A streptococcal infections] in the UK has placed increased demand for antibiotics.’

One parent spoken to by the Guernsey Press said she had not been able to get a prescription for amoxicillin fulfilled, having tried all local pharmacies.

Pharmacy advisor Shannon Moon, at Boots Pharmacy on the High Street, said although the island had not seen the effects of the UK’s rising number of Strep A cases, there was a complete shortage of antibiotics.

‘We have definitely seen a difference in the stock – we have not been able to get hold of any liquid antibiotics,’ she said.

‘I have spoken to other pharmacies to try and locate antibiotics but there is a complete shortage of antibiotics in the UK which has spread here.’

Both the liquid and tablet form of amoxicillin, the most common treatment for Strep A, were out of stock.

‘Doctors are going outside of the norm to treat it, because all the normal antibiotics are out of stock.’

Rohais Medical Centre pharmacist Adrian North said the Healthcare pharmacies had also been impacted by amoxicillin shortages.

‘We have been affected by the UK shortage of antibiotics for children, especially that used to treat Strep A,’ he said.

‘We have no immediate dates for when amoxicillin will be back in stock but we are trying on a daily basis.’

However, other treatments have been prescribed locally to children suffering with Strep A. These have included cefaclor, cephalexin, and augmentin.

‘There are other antibiotics for children still available and we have been able to help patients with them,’ Mr North said.

HSC is in communication with the Department of Health & Social Care in the UK, Mrs Hall said.

‘When a specific item is not available at a Bailiwick pharmacy, the pharmacist will discuss alternatives with the prescriber or try and source from another pharmacy.

‘If a suspension or syrup is unavailable, patients may be given advice on how to use their tablets or capsules in a different way. This should only be with appropriate medical advice.’