GPs and pharmacists are warning of medication shortages across the UK (Image: GETTY)
GPs and pharmacists are issuing an urgent alert over certain medications as millions of people face a supply shortage across the UK. Pharmacies claim they have already seen cases of patients having to ration medication or skip meals because they can’t get their supplies.
Some of the affected medications have been facing supply shortages for years, while others have been exacerbated by the Iran war causing shipping delays. While pharmacists have serious shortage protocols (SSPs) there are calls for the Government to set up an emergency taskforce and allow pharmacists to make prescription changes. The supply shortages affect a range of medications including the painkillers codeine and co-codamol, antidepressants, epilepsy and Estradot which is used in HRT for women. Efudix, a cream used to destroy precancerous cells on the skin, is also facing a shortage.
Oxybutynin, a medication used to manage hot flushes in patients using HRT, has been largely out of stock in the UK according to The Telegraph and the cost of the medication has tripled since the start of the year.
Blood pressure drugs like some beta blockers, statins and ramipril and irbesartan are affected as well as Creon, a vital medication for pancreatic cancer and cystic fibrosis patients that help them to digest food. Without the medication, patients have reported having to limit their meals and share medications with others according to The Guardian.
The shortage of Creon and Estradot isn’t new though, SSPs have been in place for the digestive drug since May 2024 while the HRT medication has had an SSP since December 2024.
According to the European Medicines Agency, the Creon shortage is due to the company that produces Creon experiencing limitations in production capacity, alongside high demand which is expected to continue into 2027.
Professor Victoria Tzortziou Brown, the president of the RCGP, said: “Medicine shortages can be frustrating for patients, GPs and pharmacists alike, especially when patients have to endure lots of back and forth to acquire a suitable alternative.
“With appropriate safeguards in place, the college is supportive of pharmacists being able to make limited changes to prescriptions when a medicine is unavailable and a safe, clinically appropriate alternative is available within agreed prescribing guidance.”
Olivier Picard, the chairman of the National Pharmacy Association, warned medicine shortages are becoming more frequent, lasting longer and causing more disruption for patients.
He told the Telegraph: “These shortages are some of the most severe the UK has experienced. Our medicines market has never been so volatile, with patients and primary care colleagues at the sharp end of events outside of their control.
“We’re urging the Government to convene an emergency taskforce to bring together all parts of the supply chain to tackle this issue.”
The organisation has also warned that pharmacists believe the situation is posing a serious risk to the safety of their patients, while 83% of pharmacy teams faced abuse or anger because of medications being unavailable.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “The overwhelming majority of medicines licensed in the UK are in good supply and patients should know that when visiting the pharmacy, their prescriptions will be available.“Ensuring there is robust supply of medicines is vital and this government is making significant investments in the UK medicine manufacturing industry to strengthen it.”
