Streptococcus A: Three More Children Die After Pharmacists Told They Could Provide Alternative Penicillin | UK News

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Three more children have been confirmed to have died of Strep A in the UK, new figures show, as pharmacists have been told they can supply an alternative penicillin.

Data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows that at least 19 children have now died across the UK from the invasive form of the disease.

Sixteen of these children have died in England since September. Three more deaths of children were recorded in Northern Ireland and Wales.

Yesterday, health officials launched an investigation into whether the death of a child in Wales was linked to Strep A.

Last week, a pupil at a school in Sussex became the 16th known to have died at that point in the UK since September.

Also yesterday, a funeral was held in Belfast for Stella Lilly McCorkindale, a five-year-old girl who died after contracting Strep A.

Meanwhile, Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) have been issued for three drugs as the government moves to respond to the growing demand.

The protocols will help alleviate supply issues and allow pharmacists to issue alternative forms of medication if they do not have the exact medication prescribed to them.

Understandably, health officials don’t believe the number of scarlet fever infections has peaked just yet, indicating the potential for more deaths.

According to the government, the protocols are standard procedure, frequently used to manage temporary and potential issues with drug supply.

The government says this is simply a safe and effective way to ensure the continued availability of medicines.

However, some pharmacists believe that the authorities have been dishonest, and an investigation has already been launched into the skyrocketing price of penicillin since the sharp rise in the number of cases.

Sri Kannaparthy, who owns four pharmacies – three in County Durham and one in Barrow-in-Furness – told Sky News: “I feel the government is lying until yesterday they were saying there was no shortage despite pharmacies across the country screaming to say they couldn’t.” Getting antibiotics for Strep A.

“Now all of a sudden they launched the SSP. It proves that the government knew all along that there was a shortage but simply wasn’t willing to stand up and accept that there was a shortage.

“It is unfortunate that this behavior of the government is not just an isolated incident but rather a regular occurrence for the pharmaceutical sector because despite knowing that the sector is going through a serious crisis with real funding cuts of 25% since 2016, the government has failed to acknowledge and address this.

“It is only a matter of time when the community pharmacy sector will collapse unless urgent government intervention is taken.”

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5:15 What is Strep A?

Usually when a patient submits a prescription, by law, the pharmacist can only provide what is written on the prescription.

If the drug is not available, the patient should be returned to the prescriber for a new prescription as an alternative.

Issuing an SSP allows pharmacists to legally provide a specified alternative medicine, eliminating the patient’s need to return to the prescriber – saving time in GP practices and patient inconvenience.

SSPs apply to the following drugs:

• Phenoxymethylpenicillin 250 mg / 5 ml sugar-free oral solution • Phenoxymethylpenicillin 250 mg / 5 ml oral solution • Phenoxymethylpenicillin 125 mg / 5 ml sugar-free oral solution

Penicillin is the drug of choice for treating both mild and severe cases of Strep A, and with the recent rise in cases this has led to a shortage of the drug.

Although erythromycin and clindamycin can be used in cases where patients are allergic to penicillin, both antibiotics have seen increased resistance rates.

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Health Secretary Will Cowens said: “The growing demand for prescription antibiotics to treat Strep A has meant that some pharmacists have been unable to supply prescription medicines.

“These critical shortage protocols will allow pharmacists to supply an alternative form of penicillin, which will make things easier for them, patients and the GP.”

Symptoms of Strep A include flu-like symptoms, sore throat, headache, fever, and muscle aches. If there is also a rash that looks rough like sandpaper, it could be scarlet fever.

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