MINISTERS have banned exports of Strep A antibiotics amid a scramble for the drugs.

Chemists are paying over the odds for supplies and parents have struggled to get prescriptions filled in a demand surge.

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The government acknowledged certain local supply concerns but denied there was a shortage.

The frontline medicines amoxicillin, cefalexin, penicillin V, and azithromycin have been outlawed by the Department of Health as of this evening.

According to officials, the action will maintain drug deliveries and increase supplies.

Additionally, the ban prevents businesses from “hoarding” sizable stockpiles.

Thorrun Govind, chair of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, said: “This means companies now cannot sell these items abroad.

“It’s positive to see this instruction, given the challenges pharmacies in the UK are facing.

“Pharmacy teams are going to tremendous efforts to support patients and they need more support from the government, especially given the price hikes.

“We have seen prices of antibiotics go from £2 to £11 in recent weeks and the government needs to look into this further.”

The Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies’ Dr. Leyla Hannbeck stated last week that it was “extremely difficult” for pharmacists to obtain antibiotics.

As a result of the unexpected rise of invasive Group A Streptococcus, at least 16 British children have perished.

With more than 1,000 infections every week, cases of scarlet fever, which is brought on by the same bacterium, are also much higher than typical.

The virus, which is spread through coughs, sneezes, and touching, prompted the closure of a school in Devon today.

At Kingsbridge Community Primary School on Tuesday, a startling 40% of students and a quarter of the staff were absent due to illness.

“We are using this opportunity to close the school today for a deep clean, and intend to reopen again tomorrow,” assistant headteacher Miranda Martyn wrote in a letter to parents.

The majority of Strep A infections are minor and only result in treatable symptoms such a sore throat, impetigo, or scarlet fever.

“Manufacturers now have stocks of medicines accessible to treat Strep A,” a Department of Health official stated.

“We continue to urgently work with manufacturers and distributors to accelerate delivery, bring forward stock they have to ensure it gets to where it is required, and enhance supply to meet demand as quickly as possible and promote access to these essential medications.”