CARLISLE’S MP is coming under pressure to address residents’ concerns over medicine shortages.

Posters have popped up in pharmacies across Carlisle, and the UK, calling on MPs to help pharmacies draw attention to the nationwide medicine shortage.

John Stevenson has received calls from residents of Carlisle to address the situation following at least one poster being spotted in the city, at the Sainsbury’s supermarket in Caldewgate.

Mr Stevenson said: “We have had two enquiries, which we will obviously respond to our constituents about what is going on.

“The constituents have raised the issue and and I will certainly look at that and try and find out why there should be such an issue and what the government is doing about it.”

The posters are part of a campaign by Pharmacy Magazine to support pharmacists who find themselves facing customers who are upset at being unable to access essential medication due to a lack of communication.

Richard Thomas, editor of Pharmacy Magazine, said: “Our readers were telling us that they feel a little under-supported in this area and there has not been enough communication done with patients to explain why there are shortages.

“Sometimes this is leading to misconceptions from both patients and prescribers that these problems are due to the pharmacy rather than it’s a genuine national supply issue.”

The posters were sent out to community pharmacies in the middle of July and have so far been received positively, Mr Thomas said.

It is not just one central problem that has led to the medicine shortage, rather there are a number of global factors that have affected the overall supply chain.

Mr Thomas added: “It’s things like global demand is increasing, the cost of raw materials is increasing, regulatory costs are increasing, there are fluctuations in exchange rates which markets become less attractive, and globalised supply chains... are quite vulnerable to disruption.”

It is hoped that by having MPs such as Mr Stevenson reach out for answers from the Government, it could lead to further action and support.

Mr Stevenson said: “I think to be responsible people, we have to find out what are the reasons and address the issues that there are.

“Rather than creating a problem whereby people themselves start to stockpile medicine and buy too many, then you create a different sort of problem.

“I do think there is a degree of responsibility involved here to make sure that people do act responsibly.

“I will try to find out from the Government what is going on.”

Have you been affected by the medicine shortage? Do you have concerns about supply issues affecting you or are a pharmacist who can give more insight into the issue? Share your story by emailing rebecca.henrys@newsquest.co.uk