Shortage of epilepsy medication a contributing factor to man's death

A man with epilepsy, David Crompton, died after a fall downstairs last December, and in a report issued on New Year’s Eve, the West Yorkshire senior coroner found that his epilepsy was a contributing factor.

Mr Crompton had been prescribed with the anti-seizure medication Tegretol but on two occasions his pharmacy had been unable to supply it.  Waiting for relatively lengthy times on two occasions was a matter of concern the coroner said. His report has been sent to both the pharmacy involved and the General Pharmaceutical Council and they both have a duty to respond by 27 February outlining a proposed course of action or explaining why no action is proposed. 

You can read more about this story at P3pharmacy which asked our CEO, Clare Pelham for comment and published her response but you can also read it below.

Epilepsy Society response from Clare Pelham, Chief Executive Officer

The Epilepsy Society, working with other charities and pharmacy organisations, has been calling for several months on the government to conduct an urgent review into the medicines supply chain that is resulting in repeated shortages of vital medications. Our hearts go out to David Crompton’s family and friends.

How can it be the case that sadly someone dies as a result of a medicines shortage in the UK? We have been warning for months of the worst and most extreme outcome that medication shortages can have for people with epilepsy. 

For many people with epilepsy there is no plan B when their medication is not available. They cannot safely switch between different versions of a drug, even if the active ingredient is the same.

This is not a little administrative issue that can be left to junior officials in the Department of Health & Social Care. This is literally a life-threatening problem. And it needs to be at the top of Wes Streeting’s agenda.

The Epilepsy Society has been calling on the government to commission an urgent review of the medicines supply chain. It is critical that the global complexities that are contributing to shortages in the UK are resolved at speed, so another family doesn’t have to experience this devastating loss. This is not a request for additional funding. It can be tackled with a handful of people applying their skills and expertise. The Epilepsy Charity stands ready to help-as I know do many others. There is enormous goodwill to support the Government to get this sorted.

We know that pharmacists across the country have been working relentlessly to help people access their medication but we also know that in some cases it is left to the patient or their families to visit multiple pharmacies to fulfil their prescription. This should not be a requirement when you have a long-term health condition, and your medication is lifesaving.

Many people with epilepsy cannot switch between different versions of their medication and this includes carbamazepine, the drug that David was prescribed. I hope that David’s sad death will be what it takes to prompt the Government to take action now. As Winston Churchill famously said- we need action this day.

We need a task force with strong leadership and accountability. Charities and people across the pharmaceutical industry and supply chain are only too willing to lend their expertise and I hope Health Secretary Wes Streeting will recognise the importance of acting now.

It is critical that another family doesn’t have to experience this devastating loss.