Patients’ lives could be endangered because of ‘profiteering’ by drugs wholesalers and pharmacy companies, it was claimed last night.

Forty seven well-known drugs, prescribed for illnesses such as cancer, high blood pressure and epilepsy are in short supply across the country.

Medication for lung disease, depression, schizophrenia, epil-epsy, Parkinson’s Disaease and asthma are also among the drugs in short supply.

The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) blamed the weak pound for the problem, claiming a small number of medical wholesalers and pharmacies are making the most of the economic situation by ordering huge amounts of the drugs to sell into Europe for a large profit.

The process is not illegal but means when individual pharmacists go to order medication directly from drug companies, they have their supplies limited and spend hours convincing the company they are genuine.

Cedric Reavley, whose family has run the Robert Reavley Pharmacy in Burford since 1918, said it had become a constant battle to get certain types of medication.

He said: “What’s happening is that a few suppliers are profiteering by selling abroad and making life difficult for the rest of us.

“It’s as true in Oxfordshire as anywhere else. We’re certainly seeing the problem in the county.

“Drugs companies are trying to address the situation by making sure the drugs come straight out of the factory and to the pharmacies.

“But it’s three times the amount of work for us, because when we run out of drugs we have to convince the companies we’re genuine and our patients are in genuine need. It all takes time.

“These are really serious illnesses we’re talking about.

“People’s lives will be put at risk if the problem worsens.”

Richard Thomas, owner of Watlington Pharmacy and Chalgrove Pharmacy, added: “My pharmacists have been experiencing severe difficulties.

“It’s an appalling state of affairs when any health care provider is making a profit by exporting drugs to Europe.”

The situation is has become so bad around the country the Government has called an emergency summit next month.

Last night the NPA said it had been working with the Government, manufacturers and wholesalers to find a solution.

A spokesman for Astrazeneca, a pharmaceutical company which makes some of the drugs being sold abroad, added: “Pharmaceutical manufacturers are not engaged in this practice, and are working hard to deal with the situation caused by it.”