http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/h...nald-1.1039229
by Russell Leadbetter
5 Jul 2010
Independent MSP Margo MacDonald has said she is horrified by news of a global shortage of a Parkinson’s drug and would raise the issue with Scottish health ministers.
….The Parkinson’s UK charity is demanding answers from Merck, over what it says is the ongoing shortage of the drug, Sinemet.
The charity says limited supplies of the drug are set to continue into next year and is asking people affected by Parkinson’s to join their campaign and write to Mercks’ medical director to urge an immediate end to the shortage.
It is also calling on Merck to take greater responsibility for communicating with Parkinson’s sufferers, to clarify how they are managing the supply of Sinemet
The charity’s chief executive, Steve Ford, said: “The shortage of Sinemet has caused anxiety and deep distress for people who are already trying to cope with the impact of Parkinson’s…
“People with Parkinson’s throughout the UK rely on Sinemet to treat their condition – Merck has a responsibility to them. Waiting until 2011 is simply not good enough. This shortage should end now.”
MacDonald, who herself has Parkinson’s…