Drugs: Supply and Availability

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath Excerpts

Wednesday 14th June 2023 Lords Chamber

[Lord Evans of Rainow (Con)]

My Lords, it looks like we have a good and sunny summer so far. The department recognises the important role that sunscreen creams play in preventing skin cancers by providing vital UVA and UVB protection. Suncreams are cosmetic products rather than medicines. The supply of cosmetic products is commercially driven and there is an extensive range of these products, with wide availability on the open market. Sunscreen creams may also be prescribed by clinicians if clinically appropriate, taking into account any NHS England guidance. I am not aware that there is a shortage of suncreams at the moment.

[Lord Hunt of Kings Heath (Lab)]

My Lords, the noble Lord says that he has a well-ordered system. Will he confirm that the number of price concessions—in other words, price increases—agreed to by his department when medicines are in short supply has shot up in recent months and that community pharmacies have to pay the gap between the set price and the newly agreed price? It then takes a long time for those community pharmacies to be compensated. Will he look at speeding up the compensation for community pharmacies?

[Lord Evans of Rainow (Con)]

Community pharmacies play a vital role in our communities. I will certainly take on board what the noble Lord has said and look into that.