Drug export warning to NHS trusts
 Drugs are more expensive outside the UK |
NHS hospital trusts in England have been warned against any attempt to cash in by exporting medicines intended for NHS patients.
The Health Service Journal reports some trusts have considered taking advantage of the weak pound to make a profit.
But the government's chief pharmaceutical offer Dr Keith Ridge has written to all NHS trusts, calling the practice irresponsible.
Dr Ridge warned it could threaten the quality of patient care.
 |  It is shocking and disgraceful that some NHS managers are said to be considering plans to export medicine  Norman Lamb Liberal Democrat health spokesman |
He said it was particularly irresponsible to export pharmaceuticals at a time when the supply chain was threatened by the swine flu pandemic.
The low value of the pound means drugs could be bought in sterling, then sold on in countries where prices are higher.
This, combined with the Department of Health's pharmaceutical price regulation scheme, which keeps UK medicine prices low, has presented trusts in theory with a chance to make substantial financial gains.
Commenting on the report, a Department of Health spokesperson said: "Exporting medicines for short term financial gain is an unacceptable practice.
"We are confident that the vast majority of hospital pharmacists are behaving responsibly.
"However, Dr Ridge has written to all hospital pharmacists to underline that such practices are contrary to acceptable professional behaviour."
Naming and shaming
Norman Lamb, Liberal Democrat health spokesman, said pharmacists had been warning for some time that medicine shortages were having a negative impact on patient care.
He said: "It is shocking and disgraceful that some NHS managers are said to be considering plans to export medicine, rather than addressing this serious problem.
"With concerns about swine flu already putting the NHS under pressure, we must ensure that we do not run short of vital drugs in the UK.
"There is a strong case for naming and shaming those trusts involved and taking appropriate disciplinary action."
