Woman with MS Struggles After Running Out of Key Medicine

Jill Kenning is a woman from Coleraine in County Londonderry who has multiple sclerosis (MS, a condition that affects the brain and nerves). According to BBC News, she says she is living with horrific pain after being unable to get Nabilone, a medicine she has relied on for many years.

Kenning was diagnosed with MS in 2008, after she had problems with her sight. After a severe relapse (a return of symptoms after a period of improvement), she spent a four-week stay in hospital and was then prescribed Nabilone. She has used the medicine for 17 of the 18 years since her diagnosis.

Kenning ran out of Nabilone last Tuesday. Since then, she has spent most of her time in bed. She says she was told by her health trust that there were no supplies of the medicine available. She has since been prescribed other medication, which she says has not been effective.

Northern Ireland's Department of Health said both licensed doses of Nabilone are out of stock across the UK. The shortage began affecting the 1mg capsules in July, and the 0.25mg strength has become unavailable more recently. The department said Nabilone is out of stock with wholesalers and is not expected to be available again until December.

The Department of Health has issued guidance to healthcare professionals on alternative treatments. This includes unlicensed imports of Nabilone where they are available.

The problem is part of a wider issue. According to a MIMS tracker, the number of drugs in short supply in the UK reached 157 this week, up from a low of 107 in January.