Peninsula patients are being advised to continue using their local dispensaries after warnings of a potential medication shortage at Holbrook and Shotley surgeries.

Difficulties in getting certain types of medicine is part of a national problem, which is being put down to a variety of issues in the supply line.

Holbrook and Shotley surgeries are not immune and despite concerns patients are being asked not to stockpile medication and ensure they put in their prescriptions in plenty of time.

Tania Farrow, chief officer of Suffolk's Local Pharmaceutical Committee, which represents pharmacy contractors, said: "The advice we are giving to patients is to organise prescriptions a week before they are needed. Also, I would advise patients to take the advice given to them by medical workers. 

"I would ask for patients not to stock-pile medication. It adds to the pressures that are currently being put onto the system. " 

Despite the potential shortages, patients are urged to continue using the dispensaries at Shotley and Holbrook to save jobs.

A spokesperson for the two peninsula surgeries used a monthly newsletter to say: "Every time you use your practice's dispensary you make a vital contribution to the local economy.

"Income from dispensing helps to pay for additional consultations, jobs for your dispensing team, extended surgery opening hours, free dosette boxes, extra clinical staff, and community phlebotomy.

"If you have previously collected medication from other pharmacies, please ask us to change back to the surgery and we will be pleased to do so."

Meanwhile, Ms Farrow explained some of the reasons why stocks are low and said: "There can be errors on production lines which can mean there is a lower supply than usual. 

"Medication is of course held to a very high standard of quality in the UK and so sometimes medication is recalled for a variety of reasons.

"Also, companies which supply the UK are looking elsewhere for more economically favourable places to sell, since our decision to leave the EU."

Some medications are currently harder to access than others across Suffolk, including hormone replacement therapy (HRTS), inhalers and certain blood pressure medications, which are among those being rationed by pharmacies

The shortages mean some patients are having to compromise, perhaps even taking a different brand of medication or a different method of application. 

Ms Farrow added: "Patients who are reliant on medication can suffer anxiety and struggle with the hassle of finding a prescription.

"The biggest impact this has however is on the healthcare workers, pharmacists and GPs who are working really hard to manage the burden of helping those who cannot access their normal medication."

Dispensary opening times:

Mondays 08:00 - 17:00 (closed 13:00 - 14:00) Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Fridays 08:00 - 18:30 (closed 13:00 - 14:00) Thursdays 08:00 - 12:30