Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she is taking to (a) increase stocks and (b) prevent shortages of triamcinolone hexacetonide injections.

We are aware of a shortage of triamcinolone hexacetonide 20 milligram/1 millilitre suspension for injection ampoules, which has been caused by the supplier experiencing manufacturing issues. We are liaising with the supplier of this product to ensure that action is taken to resolve this issue, as quickly as possible.

We have issued communications to healthcare professionals, providing guidance and advice on how to manage patients during the shortage. We have also been liaising with the British Society of Rheumatology, to keep them updated on the supply position. We have well-established procedures and tools for managing medicine supply issues, whatever the cause, and we work closely with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, the pharmaceutical industry, the National Health Service and others operating in the supply chain to help prevent shortages and to ensure that the risks to patients are minimised when shortages do arise.