The UK pharmacy sector needs a formal monitoring system to inform contractors of any medicine shortages, it has been suggested.

According to British Association of Pharmaceutical Wholesalers (BAPW) chief executive Martin Sawer, action must be taken to iron out problems with the product supply system, reports Chemist and Druggist.

Discussing he need for such a system, he told the news provider that clearer communication channels were needed between suppliers and contractors, proposing that it is important not to apply blame to particular individuals involved in the process.

"At the end of the day it is the patient that needs to benefit from this," he stated.

After Mr Sawer commented that the government should involve itself in the development of such a scheme, potentially acting as an intermediary between parties, a Department of Health spokesperson said it would be happy to discuss any such proposal.

The BAPW represents pharmaceutical distributors who between them provide 90 per cent of the UK's medicines.