The UK's National Health Service has been forced to ration blood-testing services after its bottles supplier, Becton Dickinson, warned of supply-chain disruptions.
The US medical-equipment manufacturer notified the NHS of the issue, prompting a call for doctors and laboratories to reduce "non-essential" testing to keep tight control on the current stock.
The NHS guidance demonstrates that the global supply crunch affecting everything from manufacturing to food has found its way to the healthcare sector. However, there are no reports of similar shortages outside the UK.
It is not known if the supply issue is linked with Brexit and a shortage of truck drivers that has affected several sectors of the UK economy.
Several medical clinics, such as Wellspring Surgery St. Anns, said the shortages are beyond their control, wary of a backlash from patients. – Bloomberg
