MS patient left in severe pain as critical medicine runs out across the UK

The Shortage

A patient from Northern Ireland is suffering from severe pain after losing access to a key medicine due to a nationwide supply shortage. Jill Kenning, who lives in Coleraine within County Londonderry, has relied on Nabilone for nearly two decades to control her symptoms. Wholesalers across the country are currently out of stock, and supplies are not projected to return until December.

Health Impacts

Technical problems at drug maker Brown & Burk UK Ltd have caused the disruption, and the company states it is doing everything possible to resolve the issue. Kenning was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis back in 2008 and found that Nabilone allowed her to get out of bed and live normally. Since running out last Tuesday, she has spent most of her time confined to bed while experiencing intense eye pain and severe physical decline.

Context

Medicine shortages have become an increasingly common problem across the UK this year, with industry data showing the total number of restricted drugs rising significantly over recent months. Multiple sclerosis is a chronic condition where the body's immune system attacks the protective covering around nerves, disrupting communication between the brain and the rest of the body.