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  • The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry
  • Developing medicines
  • Responding to COVID-19
  • What impact will coronavirus have on the medicines supply chain?

What impact will coronavirus have on the medicines supply chain?

We’re in regular contact, both with our members and the Government about any impact that the coronavirus could have on medicine supply in the UK.

Our members are working 24/7 to get medicines to patients during the coronavirus pandemic so that any concerns or issues around shortages are identified and mitigated before they arise.

There are robust procedures in place to manage the supply of medicines in the UK, and companies will be taking all possible measures to secure supply for patients - in line with Government guidance.

Pharmaceutical companies continue to work to understand any impact that any closures of global manufacturing facilities (particularly in China and India) may have on supply chains.

Companies continue to review this on a daily basis and are working with global colleagues to understand any potential impact.

However, this should not be seen as an alternative to information received directly by the relevant competent authorities and Government from marketing authorisation holders or suppliers, which should continue to be the primary means of intelligence on continuity of medicine supply.

Shortages and supply
What impact will coronavirus have on the medicines supply chain?
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Research and development
What are pharmaceutical companies doing to tackle COVID-19?
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Official information
What Government guidance and advice is available?
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Supporting our NHS
How are life sciences companies helping the NHS on the ground?
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Testing
What is the life sciences sector doing to help increase COVID-19 testing?
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Commitment from industry
The Life Sciences Recovery Roadmap
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Q&A
Coronavirus: Your questions answered

How do pharmaceutical companies manage medicine shortages generally?

Every day millions of patients rely on medicines supplied by the pharmaceutical industry

Manufacturers know that any medicine shortage is extremely worrying for the people affected by it. They do everything they can to prevent medicine supply problems occurring and to resolve them quickly if they do happen. 

Companies work to prevent shortages happening in the first place, but despite the best efforts of all concerned, supply problems can happen for unforeseen reasons.

Pharmaceutical companies take their responsibilities very seriously and are accountable to UK regulators should supplies of their products become unavailable.

Find out more about how we manage shortages here.

Responding to COVID-19

  • What impact will coronavirus have on the medicines supply chain?
  • What are pharmaceutical companies doing to tackle COVID-19?
  • What Government guidance and advice is available?
  • How are life sciences companies helping the NHS on the ground?
  • What is the life sciences sector doing to help increase COVID-19 testing?
  • Life Sciences Recovery Roadmap
  • Coronavirus: Your questions answered

RELATED LINKS

  • Managing medicine shortages

ABPI

The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales 
(registered number 09826787) and its registered office is at 7th Floor Southside,105 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 6QT.
Telephone +44 (0) 207 9303477

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Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority (PMCPA)

The Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority (PMCPA) was established by The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry to operate the ABPI Code of Practice for the Pharmaceutical Industry independently of the ABPI. The PMCPA is a division of ABPI which is a company registered in England and Wales (registered number 09826787) with its registered office at 7th Floor, Southside, 105 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6QT.

Office of Health Economics (OHE)

The Office of Health Economics (OHE) is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (registered number 09848965) and its registered office is at 7th Floor Southside, 105 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 6QT. OHE provides independent research, advisory and consultancy services on policy implications and economic issues within the pharmaceutical, health care and biotechnology sectors.