UK shortage of drug used to prevent brain damage in alcoholics

Alcoholism impairs the body’s ability to absorb vitamins which can increase the chance of developing a degenerative brain condition. Photograph: Andrew Brookes/Getty Images/Image Source

Doctors have warned that a severe shortage of an “essential” medicine used to help protect alcoholics from degenerative brain conditions could disproportionately affect “some of the most vulnerable” in society.

Pabrinex, a multivitamin injection, is used to protect heavy drinkers from conditions such as Wernicke’s encephalopathy and Korsakoff syndrome, which can have symptoms similar to dementia. Doctors are concerned the incidence of these debilitating conditions may increase as a result of the shortages.