A CHARITY has voiced concern over shortages of medication taken by people with epilepsy.
Epilepsy Scotland is calling on pharmaceutical manufacturers and the Scottish and UK governments to take steps to ensure the current situation does not occur again.
The Department of Health and Social Care has warned that 5mg tablets of generic lamotrigine, prescribed for epilepsy, will be out of stock until next month.
It was confirmed earlier this month that all strengths of lamotrigine tablets manufactured by Accord Healthcare are in limited supply until March and 200mg tablets are currently out of stock until around the same time.
In addition, the NHS has been told there are supply issues with carbamazepine, another anti-seizure medication. Branded versions of this anti-seizure medication are still available but Epilepsy Scotland said they cannot fill the gap in the supply chain totally. It added that for some people, changing to an alternative product may exacerbate symptoms.
More than 58,000 people are living with epilepsy in Scotland and anti-seizure medication is vital for them to live healthily and continue with their day-to-day lives.
Medication often lets them live seizure-free, allowing them to secure and retain work, and to drive. For some, it can also often take years to find the right anti-seizure medication. The stress of being told their medication is either running out or not available can in itself increase the risk of seizures, Epilepsy Scotland said.
Its chief executive, Lesslie Young, said: “It is time to end this repeated pattern of shortages in crucial anti-seizure medication for people living with epilepsy which puts added strain on those living with the condition.
“Governments and the pharmaceutical industry must guarantee a reliable supply of these medications and break the cycle of shortages we have seen in recent years. We are calling on manufacturers to make sure they are consistently producing enough anti-seizure medications.
“Until they do, we are calling on the Scottish and UK governments to stockpile anti-seizure medications which have been repeatedly in short supply, once they become available, thus ensuring this completely unacceptable situation, where people’s health and quality of life is being put at risk does not happen again.
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“Anyone who has concerns about a shortage of their anti-seizure medication should contact their epilepsy specialist nurse or GP.”
Epilepsy Scotland works with people affected by epilepsy to ensure their voice is heard. It campaigns for improved healthcare, better information provision and an end to stigma.
The common serious neurological condition affects one in 97 people.
Epilepsy Scotland’s freephone helpline on 0808 800 2200 offers support and information. People can also email contact@epilepsyscotland.org.uk, text 07786 209501 or visit www.epilepsyscotland.org.uk. The charity is also on Facebook and Twitter/X.
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