Britons are facing increasing difficulties in accessing certain treatments. The number of alert declarations of imminent drug shortages has doubled in three years.

British authorities generally take longer than European authorities to authorize new medicines. The situation in the United Kingdom is particularly critical due to the country's exit from the European Union, the Nuffield Trust report says. The government is forced to trigger the financial mechanism allowing overpayment for medicines much more often because cheaper alternatives are no longer available. The mechanism was not used more than 20 times per month before 2016, but has increased to 199 per month at the end of 2022, for an additional cost estimated at around 220 million pounds (257 million euros) in the UK. The report was published on Thursday April 18 by the specialist health think tank, the Nuffield Trust, and published by the Lancet journal on April 18. 2018. For confidential support, call the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 90, visit a local Samaritans branch or see www.samaritans.org. In the U.S., call the National Suicide Prevention Line on 1-800-273-8255.