Volcanic ash puts strain on supply

The grounding of aeroplanes by a volcanic ash cloud raised concerns over medicines supply this week, and pharmacists have reported an influx of queries from travellers.

As C+D went to press, there were no drugs shortages reported as a result of the eruption in Iceland, but the RPSGB warned that if flight restrictions continued for weeks or months there could be problems with medicines transported by air.

The vast majority of medicines used in the UK are transported by ferry or freight from mainland Europe, so air restrictions are not expected to cause major problems.

Regarding medicines transported by air, an RPSGB spokesperson said: �[There is] a system in place which will allow regional transfers to be made if medicine shortages are experienced, where drugs can be transported from one region to another to satisfy need.