Exclusive: Drugs wholesalers have profited from “controlling the supply chain,” sometimes at the expense of “desperate” patients and cash-strapped pharmacies, a Labour MP has told P3pharmacy. 

In an exclusive interview with P3pharmacy, Coventry North West MP and practising hospital pharmacist Taiwo Owatemi said Labour must “start really looking” at supply chain challenges on a number of fronts. 

Ms Owatemi, who has previously spoken in the House of Commons about the role distributors may play in price hikes, told the publication: “Historically, they’ve profited from being able to control the supply chain to a certain extent. 

“They know how desperate people will get for their medication and how much pharmacies are willing to pay for it – but sadly it’s leaving many pharmacies unable to get that money back, which impacts their finances.

“We need to start really looking at it because for many pharmacists who truly care for their patients, they are being penalised; people are trying to take more money from the sector than it has. 

“If we don’t get a hold on that, we don’t know what the future will be.” 

The MP, who was also recently appointed a Government whip, said the issue is “complicated” because “both big and small companies are involved”. She did not name any individual companies. 

Asked whether stronger regulations are needed, she replied: “I think the regulators would say they’re doing all they can to address this. The challenge is, how do you regulate it without being seen to be policing the system?

“You’ve also got to take into account the fact that people will always find a way to game the system.”

She described worsening drug shortages as “frustrating” and said “every pharmacist” has had the experience of telling a patient their prescribed medicines are not available.

In addition to looking at the potential role of medicine wholesalers, Ms Owatemi said her party must review government drug buying policies to stop manufacturers withdrawing crucial molecules from the UK market. 

“The model we are working from dates from the Tony Blair days and needs to be updated,” she said, adding: “This is about working with manufacturers – particularly generics companies – and ensuring we have a good supply chain. 

“The only way companies will continue investing in life sciences is if it’s profitable for them – some companies are considering pulling out of the market.”  

Read the full interview here.