Nationwide antibiotics shortage leaves sick patients desperate

First it was a shortage of the flu vaccine. Now supply of some of our most critical antibiotics are also drying up.

Pharmacists right across Queensland are struggling to fill the void, with sick patients desperately needing prescriptions filled.

"I've had to personally ring about three or five pharmacies just to make sure there's no stock in any other pharmacy" Jennifer Leung, from Hardings Pharmacy, told 9News.

Gold Coast pharmacist Arwel Jones admits he's never seen it this severe.

"It's bad it's bad and its certainly getting worse," he said.

Some blame manufacturers for leaving the market.

"Bactrim has been deleted off the market. So the supply of the generic brands has increased ten-fold, and because of that reason, the manufacturer cannot keep up with the market," Ms Leung told 9News.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration has confirmed two types of antibiotics - known as either Bactrim, Septrin or Resprim - are at a nationwide shortage.

All of those are used to treat a variety of stomach, urinary, chest and blood infections.

Dr Mary Seawright said that includes children.

"Kids with UTI's, types of pneumonia, people who are allergic to penicillin," she told 9News.

Those who have immune system disorders like HIV also take the antibiotics every day.

But six months without those drugs are seeing doctors placing some patients in hospital on intravenous antibiotics - a stronger and potentially dangerous alternative, according to Dr Seawright.

"If we're having to use those antibiotics more commonly, then there will be more resistance in the community," she said.

The country's biggest drug manufacturer Mylan, based in Ipswich, told 9News it's now doubling its production of the antibiotic Resprim.

It claims the demand for the drug has more than doubled due to others leaving the market.

The Australian Medical Association Queensland's President Dr Dilip Dhupelia also said the government is taking action, putting in place fines for companies who don't notify of an impending shortage.

"That legislation has only come in within the last 12 months and provides a safety net for patients," Dr Dhupelia said.