Shortages of medicines including abatacept affect people with arthritis

Medicine shortages are increasingly common around the world due to fragile chains of imports from Asia, inflation and global instability. The problem impacts hundreds of medicines in the UK, some of which are used by people with rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
The National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society reports that abatacept 125mg pre-filled injection pens are expected to be in short supply from June 2024 onwards but should resolve by October 2024.
A report from Community Pharmacy England shows that:
• 99% of pharmacists encounter medicine supply issues at least once a week;
• 72% experience multiple issues every day;
• and 79% of pharmacy team members say patient health is at risk due to medicine supply issues.
Pharmacists are having to dispense part-prescriptions and issuing owings for the remainder of medicines. This means people are not able to collect their entire prescription and have to return at a later date… an additional strain on those with long term health conditions.
Anyone with inflammatory arthritis who needs support should call the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society helpline: 0800 298 7650.

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