Health · Healthcare & Policy · 3 hrs ago
UK-wide Nabilone shortage leaves woman with MS in severe pain
Jill Kenning, who has multiple sclerosis, has run out of Nabilone, a medicine she has used for 17 years to manage her pain.
Kenning, from Coleraine in Northern Ireland, says she has spent most of her time in bed since her supply ended.
Nabilone is out of stock with wholesalers across the UK, and Northern Ireland’s Department of Health says it is not expected to be available again until December.
The department has not said what caused the disruption, describing that information as commercially sensitive.
Alternative medicines have not eased Kenning’s pain, and she has spent several nights in hospital.
The UK had 157 medicines in short supply this week, compared with 107 in January, according to an industry tracker.
Health departments and trusts are working to manage the shortage, and guidance has been issued to healthcare providers.
Jill Kenning, who has multiple sclerosis, says she is in severe pain after a UK-wide shortage left her without Nabilone.
Kenning, from Coleraine in County Londonderry, had used the drug for 17 of the 18 years since her diagnosis.
Northern Ireland’s Department of Health said both licensed doses were out of stock with wholesalers across the UK.
The department said Nabilone was not expected to be available again until December.
Kenning said alternative medication had not worked and she had spent several nights in hospital.
- Who
- Jill Kenning, a woman with multiple sclerosis.
- What
- She says she is in severe pain after being unable to get Nabilone, which she uses to manage her condition.
- When
- She ran out of the drug last Tuesday. The department said it was not expected to be available again until December.
- Where
- Coleraine, County Londonderry; the shortage affects supplies across the UK.
- Why
- The department said there was disruption to supplies but did not disclose the reason, calling the information commercially sensitive.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Kenning was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis after experiencing problems with her sight.
Following a four-week hospital stay, Kenning was prescribed Nabilone.
The shortage began affecting 1mg Nabilone capsules.
Kenning ran out of Nabilone.
The Department of Health said Nabilone was not expected to be available again until then.
- Patient
- Jill Kenning
- Location
- Coleraine, County Londonderry
- Diagnosis
- Multiple sclerosis, diagnosed in 2008
- Drug use
- Nabilone for 17 of the 18 years since diagnosis
- Shortage
- Both licensed doses out of stock with wholesalers across the UK
- Expected availability
- December
What people are saying
It helps me basically that I can get out of bed in the morning,
I don't want to be here any more because the pain is so bad,
I'm not only fighting for me, I'm fighting for all the other patients that are on this drug.