Pharmacies warn of drugs delay: Lack of van drivers sees 'reduced' deliveries

Pharmacies warn of drugs delay: Lack of van drivers sees 'reduced' deliveries
Pharmacies warn of drugs delay: Lack of van drivers sees 'reduced' deliveries

Deliveries of over-the-counter drugs and prescriptions to pharmacies are being disrupted due to a lack of van drivers, according to reports.

Pharmacy bosses have reportedly told the Sunday Telegraph they are facing disruption to deliveries up to 'three times a week'. 

And, according to the paper, pharmacists warn the issue could get worse due to an increase in demand in winter.

It comes amid a shortage of HGV drivers in the UK, which has sparked fears of empty shelves this Christmas and forced a number of petrol stations to close due to difficulties getting fuel to the pumps. 

Martin Hewitson, who runs an independent pharmacy in Dorset and is a former board member of the National Pharmacy Association (NPA), is one of 'multiple' pharmacies to have raised issue about the concerns of medicine supplies.

He told The Telegraph: 'It's not happening every day, but once, twice, three times a week we're having disruption to wholesale deliveries. 

Pharmacy bosses have reportedly told the Sunday Telegraph they are facing disruption to deliveries up to 'three times a week'

Pharmacy bosses have reportedly told the Sunday Telegraph they are facing disruption to deliveries up to 'three times a week'

According to the paper, pharmacists warn the issue, which they say is caused by a shortage of van drivers (pictured: Library image) could get worse due to an increase in demand in winter

According to the paper, pharmacists warn the issue, which they say is caused by a shortage of van drivers (pictured: Library image) could get worse due to an increase in demand in winter

Martin Hewitson (pictured), who runs an independent pharmacy in Dorset and is a former board member of the National Pharmacy Association (NPA), is one of 'multiple' pharmacies to have raised issue about the concerns of medicine supplies

Martin Hewitson (pictured), who runs an independent pharmacy in Dorset and is a former board member of the National Pharmacy Association (NPA), is one of 'multiple' pharmacies to have raised issue about the concerns of medicine supplies

'Medicines which we were expecting end up not arriving, often with no explanation.'

Along with prescriptions, disruption has also reportedly affected supplies of over-the-counter medications.

One supplier said to have suspended delivery of all over-the-counter medicines for several weeks. 

A spokesperson for the NPA told the Telegraph that it was aware that deliveries to some pharmacies had been 'reduced'.

Boris Johnson insists on a pay rise for truckers and will send a million of them morale-booster letters

Boris Johnson has called on HGV bosses to give drivers a pay rise as the Prime Minister prepares to send them one million morale-boosting letters in the run-up to Christmas.

Ministers are said to be urging up to 40,000 retired hauliers to return to action in a last-gasp bid to save Christmas, as retailers warned the Government it has less than two weeks to prepare for the festive season.

Meanwhile, Boris Johnson is to personally sign off on a million morale-boosting letters urging drivers who turned away from the industry to get back on Britain's roads.

The move comes amid a nationwide panic-buying spree at petrol stations and growing fear inside Downing Street that supermarket shelves could remain barren until December 25.

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However it said the problem was 'not generally affecting patients' access to treatment 'at this stage'.

Pharmacists, however, warn the issue could get worse over winter - when demand for over-the-counter drugs increases - according to the Telegraph. 

The shortage of van drivers is reportedly being caused by a combination of factors.

These are said to include the UK's wider scarcity of labour and drivers having to self-isolate because of Covid-19. 

Recent changes in the rules on freelancing, brought about by a change to the IR35 rule, has also had an impact.

The rule change, introduced in April, is part of the Government's action on companies treating full-time employees as freelancers.

However, the move has forced some drivers who want to retain their freelance status to work for multiple companies at once.

In a recent poll by industry group the Road Haulage Association, changes to the IR35 was one of the top reasons HGV drivers gave as for wanting to leave the industry. 

It comes as, in the wider HGV driver shortage, it was announced that more than 10,000 temporary foreign visas will be fast-tracked by the Government as ministers rush to solve the supply chain crisis that's threatening Christmas.

5,000 HGV drivers and 5,500 poultry workers will be given extraordinary three-month visas allowing them to work in the UK until Christmas Eve.

The move comes amid a nationwide panic-buying spree at petrol stations and growing fear inside Downing Street that supermarket shelves could remain barren until Christmas.   

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the changes, with the visas available from next month, would 'ensure preparations remain on track' for the festive season.

But the Road Haulage Association warned the announcement 'barely scratches the surface', while the British Chambers of Commerce said the measures were the equivalent of 'throwing a thimble of water on a bonfire'.

Retailers had warned the Government that it had just 10 days to save Christmas from 'significant disruption' due to a shortfall of about 90,000 drivers in the freight sector.

It comes as thousands of desperate drivers ignored Government pleas for calm as they jammed roads - with fears mounting over the impact of lasting fuel shortages on the economy. 

Furious motorists were seen fighting on Saturday as the nationwide rush for fuel continued amid calls for calm from the Government because less than 100 petrol stations were empty.

Shocking footage showed panic buyers punch and kick at each other during a violent brawl at an Esso petrol forecourt in Sidlesham, Chicester, as roads were left gridlocked and police had to be called in to marshal drivers.

Two men were seen grappling before throwing punches at one another, while another enraged motorist launched a flying kick at another man as the scramble for fuel turned violent in the sleepy West Sussex village.

5,000 HGV drivers and 5,500 poultry workers will be given extraordinary three-month visas allowing them to work in the UK until Christmas Eve

5,000 HGV drivers and 5,500 poultry workers will be given extraordinary three-month visas allowing them to work in the UK until Christmas Eve

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps (above) said the changes, with the visas available from next month, would 'ensure preparations remain on track' for the festive season

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps (above) said the changes, with the visas

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