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<p>There were 10,558 community pharmacies in England on 29 February 2024, including
405 distance selling pharmacies. These contractors are independent private businesses
contracted to provide services within the National Health Service. While the Department
does not monitor their stock levels, it does have a role in managing supply at a national
level to help ensure stocks are available from manufacturers to meet demand from patients
across the country. We are often made aware of supply issues. Thankfully the vast
majority can be managed with no impact to patients.</p><p>We work with the industry,
the NHS, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and others working
across the supply chain to manage issues and we provide guidance for health care professionals
about medicines that are experiencing supply issues on how to manage patients during
a disruption where necessary.</p><p>The Medicine Supply Tool is designed to provide
information and guidance for healthcare professionals, rather than members of the
public. However, a public-facing page on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
medicine supply is available at the following link:</p><p><a href="https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/prescribing-available-medicines-to-treat-adhd/"
target="_blank">https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/prescribing-available-medicines-to-treat-adhd/</a></p><p>Any
patient who is worried about the supply of their medication should speak to their
clinician, in the first instance.</p>
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