Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to mitigate the impact of shortages of medicines for people with (a) epilepsy and (b) Parkinson's disease.

The Department is working hard with industry to help resolve intermittent supply issues with some epilepsy medications. As a result of ongoing activity and intensive work, including directing suppliers to expedite deliveries, some issues, including with some carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine presentations, have been resolved.

There is a supply issue with all strengths of lamotrigine tablets, used to manage epilepsy, due to manufacturing issues. A supply issue with one of the strengths of lamotrigine tablets has recently resolved, and the remaining strengths are expected to resolve from early December 2024. Other manufacturers of lamotrigine tablets can meet the increased demand during this time.

The Department is aware of supply constraints with one supplier of amantadine 100mg capsules used in the management of Parkinson’s Disease, however stocks remain available from alternative suppliers to cover this demand.

The Department continues to work closely with industry, the NHS and others to help ensure patients continue to have access to an alternative treatment until their usual product is back in stock.