England's most senior pharmacist has warned that some local chemists are running short on vital drugs used to combat Strep A, say reports.
David Webb, who became chief pharmaceutical officer earlier this year, said yesterday that certain locations had seen stocks of antibiotics depleted amid an outbreak of the infection among children.
Describing a "temporary interruption of supply" for local chemists, he moved to reassure parents that stocks remained at "sufficient" levels nationwide.
The admission comes after data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) showed 13 children under 15 have died of Step A in England since September.
Two further deaths have also been reported in Wales and Northern Ireland.
Among those who have died are five-year-old Stella-Lily McCorkindale from Belfast and seven-year-old Hanna Roap, whose parents claimed she could have survived if she was given the right medicine.
A number of local chemists have meanwhile reported difficulties obtaining moxicillin and penicillin this week as concern over the infection grows.
The National Pharmacy Association has spoken of "blips" in supply chains of liquid penicillin, which is often used on children.
In a letter to his colleagues across the country on Thursday addressing the concerns, chief pharmaceutical officer David Webb said: "Local pharmacy teams may be experiencing a temporary interruption of supply of some relevant antibiotics due to increased demand. On a national level, sufficient stock exists for the NHS."
Similar comments were made by education secretary Gillian Keegan yesterday morning, who told GB News that there were some "local" shortages of antibiotics.
She offered her condolences to the families who have lost children to the outbreak, describing the situation as "every parent's worst nightmare."
Group A Streptococcal bacteria, or Strep A, can cause throat infection, scarlet fever or skin infections such as cellulitis or impetigo.
While the vast majority of infections are relatively mild, the bacteria can sometimes cause a life-threatening illness called invasive Group A Streptococcal disease.
A primary school in Kent has even reintroduced 'Covid-style' rules to prevent the infection, with all assemblies cancelled and classroom 'bubbles' enforced among pupils.
