Pharmacists are reporting UK-wide shortages of the antibiotics used to treat strep A, despite the health secretary insisting that the government is “not aware” of a problem.
Demand for penicillin and amoxicillin has increased in recent days as the number of cases of strep A has risen among children in schools. At least nine children have died due to complications from the infection since September. Independent pharmacies say they cannot replenish stocks of the antibiotics because wholesalers say there is no availability.
