A new package of initiatives to ensure that NHS patients have access to the medications they need has been agreed.

Delegates at a summit to discuss concerns about current difficulties with the supply of medicines have opted to implement a series of targeted inspections by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Authority and tougher standards for the issue of licences for medical wholesalers.

They also agreed that manufacturers and wholesalers will have a more explicit duty to ensure that sufficient stocks of medicines are available to NHS patients and new guidelines will be made available to educate doctors and pharmacists about how to deal with supply difficulties.

Health minister Mike O'Brien said: "We have reached agreement on a way to help NHS patients get the medicines they need. Manufacturers, wholesalers, pharmacy bodies, regulators and government all agreed to work together to resolve the issue."

Last month, it was reported that a number of companies were selling drugs intended for the UK for higher prices abroad.

This caused serious shortages of approximately 40 well-known drugs used to treat a range of conditions including cancer and epilepsy.