The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 275 No 7363 p219
20 August 2005

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DoH must recognise oxygen supplies risk, says the NPA

Demand for oxygen services from community pharmacies over Christmas may outstrip available supplies, the National Pharmacy Association has warned the Department of Health.

The NPA says that pharmacies have been placed in a position where they have legal and ethical obligations to maintain supplies in an uncertain environment, and often at a loss. It has warned that patients’ health may be put at risk due to interruptions in the supply of oxygen.

This situation has arisen because plans to introduce new arrangements for oxygen supplies from regional contractors instead of through pharmacies have been put back from October until February next year.

Pharmacies face losing money on oxygen supplies because BOC has started to charge rental on cylinders that is not reimbursed under current arrangements. Further losses could arise every time a new patient is prescribed oxygen because new headsets cost around £100 each to lend to patients, but pharmacies only receive allowances of from £2 to £3 a month for each headset.