Norfolk pharmacists and parents report shortage of antibiotics to treat infections

Pharmacists and parents in Norfolk say they are struggling to get antibiotics as the number of Strep A infections in children rises.

Demand for the drugs has surged in recent weeks due to a surge in cases, leading to widespread shortages.

One pharmacist who ran out of supplies said that every other call he received from the public asked about the availability of antibiotics, used to treat infections caused by Strep A bacteria.

Parents have also reported difficulties in obtaining prescribed medications, particularly those suitable for children, with some adult medications having to be adjusted in order to use them in safe amounts.

The latest figures from the UK Health Authority show that 43 children in Norfolk have contracted scarlet fever, a contagious infection caused by Strep A bacteria.

Across the UK, the number of children known to have died of Strep A-related illness since September has risen to 15. There were also at least 47 adult deaths.

Most Strep A infections are mild, but more severe invasive cases — although still rare — are on the rise.

Maziar Moaddabi, who owns a pharmacy in Norfolk, said he had to turn people away because he had run out of stock.

“I was able to give some to a grandmother but then a mother called and I can’t help her – we have other medicines that we might be able to give [if the doctors agree] but they may not be as effective,” he added.

In the run-up to the festive season, Mr Moaddabi, owner of Vauxhall Street Pharmacy in Norwich, traditionally gets extra supplies of antibiotics to meet Christmas demand.

But this year he has to plunder his reserves just to address the current supply issues.

“Now I’m terrified of what I’m going to do over Christmas,” he said.

“The situation is getting really desperate now, we’re getting angry calls from parents but there’s nothing more we can do – someone has to do something.

“Every other call I get is about antibiotic availability.”

Mark Jackson, a donor at Hurn Chemists in Norwich, said he had similar issues.

He said nine out of 10 pharmacies have trouble getting antibiotics.

“You can’t get the antibiotics you need, so we have to go to the doctors to get an alternative, but in the end it’s the alternative of the alternative and then that goes out of stock too,” he said.

The increased demand is related to the current wave of streptococcal infections.

Antibiotics are usually only prescribed in more serious cases to reduce the chance of developing antibiotic resistance.

The surge in infections this year has been attributed in part to children not mixing as often during the coronavirus pandemic, potentially leading to a drop in population-wide immunity.

GPs have been told to be more vigilant for Strep A and other infections, making them more likely to prescribe antibiotics.

Suzi Loades, 44, from Bergh Apton, near Norwich, was lucky enough to get medicine for her seven-year-old son by snagging the last pack at the pharmacy.

“My little boy, Finley, was pretty bad over the weekend and my husband took him to the outpatient clinic and they initially diagnosed an upper respiratory problem but then he turned around on Sunday night,” she said.

Ms Loades said Finley remained bedridden, which was unusual for a normally active boy.

“I called my GP on Monday and they prescribed penicillin for him [for Strep A] but no liquid versions are available,” she added.

“We had to give him adult capsules and crush them [to put it in his food]. He’s seven so he’s good at taking it, but other parents I know have a hard time giving it to toddlers.

“Every parent group I belong to has at least one sick child, everyone is like, ‘Where can we get antibiotics?’ – it’s a bit like the gas crisis.”

dr Leyla Hannbeck, chair of the Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies, said national supply was already falling short of needs and “things have gotten progressively worse”.

“Last week the government said there were enough supplies but we are not seeing the supplies to meet demand,” she added.

“We have to go back and forth with doctors to see if something else can be prescribed as an alternative, and supply of the other antibiotics becomes problematic, it increases demand for others.”

dr Hannbeck said the government needs to do more to ensure supplies are flowing again.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said there was “no shortage of suppliers of available antibiotics”.