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<p>The Department consulted stakeholder representative bodies representing pharmacists,
doctors, patient groups and the pharmaceutical industry and asked those bodies to
share the consultation as they saw fit. A total of 47 responses were received.</p><p>
</p><p>The main benefit of a serious shortage protocol is that patients continue to
have access to treatment without undue delays. In addition, the Department expects
that where a protocol is in place, it will reduce pressure on general practitioners
because they do not have to see all patients to issue a new prescription. For pharmacists,
whilst a protocol would likely increase their workload, it would also reduce pressure
as pharmacists would not need to liaise with GPs every time they get a prescription.
Protocols for therapeutic or generic equivalents will not be suitable for all medicines
and patients. A protocol will therefore free up GP time to spend for the patients
who most need it.</p>
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