Post Brexit baby boom?

[SaintEyning]

I usually use the Sayana Press contraceptive - self administered three month injection. Went to get my Rx today and was told that for a couple of reasons, it would not be available for the foreseeable. Reason one is that the manufacturer found some pods had liquid escaping / were wet on unpacking so recalled. The second reason is a shortage due to Brexit uncertainty . While I get that those of us who use injectable contraception are in the minority, and that the first reason is the main issue, is it not concerning that people like me who rely on just being able to get our Rx on time as we categorically do not (in my case, cannot afford) want more children may end up costing the NHS more if a supply of our method of contraception is not available? I have tried all other types and this one works for me. I had to have an emergency appointment for a GP administered injection as the locum (a whiole other shortage issue) could not administer in a regular GP appointment. A small casualty of a mfg issue combined with the brexit volatility, I know. But still, it alarmed me.

Personally, when I don’t want to get pregnant and haven’t my ‘preferred contraception’ to hand. I find that the best way to avoid unwanted pregnancy is to not have sex.

🤷🏻‍♀️ But, maybe it’s just me.

How did Brexit Uncertainty affect this product specifically, out of interest?

It's probably nothing to do with Brexit and everything to do with the fact that other countries pay more for the medicines, so they get them as a priority and the NHS doesn't.

Yes abstinence is your friend

Does anyone else find it odd how the shortages of this contraception are probably nothing to do with Brexit?

Then there's the shortages of HRT previously ...hmmm nothing to do with Brexit.

Then shortages of epileptic medication (Epilim, Keppra);

Other contraceptives (including Yasmin, Microgynon, Cerrazette);

Shortages of some medicines for epilepsy etc (Escitalopram, Mirtazepine).

At what point does anything get attributed to Brexit?

The pound falling?
Car manufacturers leaving?
Banks and financial services relocating?

What does it take for some one to say hang on...

It more likely to do with changes to EU regulations re drugs which have already affected several popular prescriptions. I fail to see how uncertainty over brexit is disrupting supply chains. Brexit itself, certainly, but uncertainty over brexit. It doesn’t really make sense unless you are implying that the supplier is deliberately screwing themselves over through sheer brexit induced madness?

Sorry not all medicines for epilepsy- other mental health conditions I believe.

e-surgery.com/brexit-crisis-medication-shortage-list/

@lonelyplanetmum I would imagine when it’s actually attributable to brexit? To a very minor extent you could blame brexit in the sense that it has meant that the government has almost no time to deal with anything else as a result and it also makes Britain less of a priority for drug suppliers in the future (currently its a priority market as a part of the EU). But brexit wouldn’t have caused the kind of shortages we’re experiencing alone. There are a number of issues including regulatory changes, and plant issues for a few major manufacturers, price rises (which the NHS refuses to pay for). It’s not simply a case of let’s blame everything in brexit before it has even happened, we have to think it through a bit.

You can blame Brexit to the extent that it has made it harder for the U.K. to maintain supplies of some drugs, for two reasons

1. Brexit stockpiling takes drugs off the market because if you increase stocks (and don't also increase production) then automatically you restrict supply to the market.

1. Brexit-related sterling weakness has created or reinforced some arbitrage opportunities in the supply chain (it can be more profitable to re-export drugs than to sell them in the U.K.)

Other countries also have drug supply issues too of course, but the two factors above have made things somewhat worse in the U.K. than in other parts of Europe.

I usually use the Sayana Press contraceptive-self administered three month injection.Went to get my Rx today and was told that for a couple of reasons, it would not be available for the foreseeable. Reason one is that the manufacturer found some pods had liquid escaping/were wet on unpacking so recalled.The second reason is a shortage due to Brexit uncertainty.

Details of the recall here;
www.gov.uk/drug-device-alerts/class-2-medicines-recall-sayana-press-104mg-0-65ml-mdr-055-06-19

Batch Number/Expiry Date/ Pack Size/ First Distributed
L61367 31 January 2020 1 10 April 2015

L61367Y 31 January 2020 1 02 May 2016

T34580 31 July 2020 1 08 November 2017

X49124 30 June 2021 1 09 October 2018

Not sure why you were told the shortage is also due to Brexit uncertainty - Pfizer temporarily halted all production of Sayana in August;

“We are currently experiencing an interruption in supply of Sayana® Press (medroxyprogesterone acetate 104mg/0.65ml suspension for injection in the Uniject™ injection system).

"The temporary interruption of supply is due to a manufacturing issue at Pfizer’s manufacturing facility in Puurs, Belgium.In agreement with the Belgian Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products (FAMHP), Pfizer has voluntarily temporarily interrupted manufacturing."

(Other countries also have drug supply issues too of course, but the two factors above have made things somewhat worse in the U.K. than in other parts of Europe)

Sep 2019:
"Concerns are growing over a lack of certain medications in France"
"with some patients struggling to get their prescriptions, and the Prime Minister calling a meeting in Paris in an attempt to solve the issue."

"Hospitals have also seen a shortage-and in some cases, a total lack-of medicines affected by the issues.Around 30 hospital professors have called on the State to bring back medicine production to France, as 80% of generic medicines are imported from Asia."

www.connexionfrance.com/French-news/France-medication-hospital-and-pharmacy-shortage-crisis-prompts-PM-meeting

"459 medicines are unavailable in Belgian pharmacies"

"Belgian pharmacies are facing increased medicine shortages even though a new law was passed to prevent them."

www.brusselstimes.com/belgium/60295/over-400-prescription-medicines-unavailable-in-belgium/

Missed a link;
Sayana® supply

"In agreement with the Belgian Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products (FAMHP), Pfizer has voluntarily temporarily interrupted manufacturing."

pcwhf.co.uk/news/sayana-press-uk-supply-issue/

Shhh OP, you'll kill the brexit fairies if you blame brexit for anything
On a serious note, have you been offered an alternative such as depo-provera? You shouldn't have to change but I'm hoping you've had good care and advice. I am a Practice Nurse (although not working at the moment as on a career break) and if you were my patient I'd be discussing alternatives and going through the options with you to help you make an informed choice.
Finding the right contraceptive is difficult enough without shortages. Many women don't respond well to certain oral contraceptives. Microgynon is well known for mood swings for example and we would often swap patients onto something different.
I hope you get sorted.

Ha @BercowsPoliticalPumpkin! I did think a bit 🤔 when the GP said it was in part a Brexit thing but he’s v stressed at the mo about not being able to find a new partner for the practice after his colleague retired. When the Rx failed to materialise, I made a regular appointment (i don’t mind who does it) for depo, but the locum is not allowed so I ended up seeing the GP at the end of surgery and while we were chatting he stabbed me with the depo. Just need to adjust my reminders but it does mean I have now to make an appt rather than get the Rx with 26 weeks supply... and I’m a teacher so that’s an added pain as well as unnecessarily taking an appointment...