There is a “dangerous” drug shortage, health officials have warned, with nine in ten struggling to supply their patients with aspirin.
Pharmacies in England face ‘dangerous’ shortage of painkiller used by 50 million(Image: )
Pharmacies have issued a warning over a “dangerous” shortage of a painkiller used by millions. There is a “dangerous” drug shortage, health officials have warned, with nine in ten struggling to supply their patients with aspirin.
50 prescriptions for aspirin were dispensed in the UK in 2025. But, the drug has been in short supply for weeks.
The National Pharmacy Association (NPA), which represents around 6,000 pharmacies, found 86 per cent reported being unable to supply aspirin to their patients in the last seven days.
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Olivier Picard, chair of the NPA, said: “We’re concerned about reports of pharmacies being unable to order in stocks of aspirin and the implications this might have for the patients they serve.
“For those pharmacies that can get hold of supply, costs will far exceed what they will be reimbursed by the NHS.”
Dr Leyla Hannbeck, chief executive of the Independent Pharmacies Association, which represents around 5,000 pharmacies, also said: “It is incredibly worrying to see shortages of essential medicines such as aspirin and blood pressure treatments appearing in pharmacies.
“These low stock levels are partly due to manufacturing delays, but also because pharmacies are simply unable to order the quantities they need.
“The reality is that the prices paid for many medicines by the NHS are so low that manufacturers often prioritise supplying other countries instead, leaving the UK pushed to the back of the queue.
“When limited stock becomes available then the prices shoot up to levels that become unaffordable for pharmacies to order and they are left severely out of pocket.
“It is vital that the Government urgently reviews how medicines are reimbursed to pharmacies, otherwise these shortages will only worsen.
“In the meantime, anyone affected by a medicine shortage should speak to their local pharmacist, who is a highly trained healthcare professional and can advise on suitable alternatives where available.”
Mr Picard said: “We’ve long called for pharmacists to be able to make substitutions where a medicine is not in stock and it is safe to supply an alternative.
“The status quo is not only frustrating for patients, it is also dangerous. It is madness to send someone back to their GP to get a prescription changed when a safe alternative is in stock.
“It risks a patient either delaying taking vital medication or forgoing it altogether, which poses a clear risk to patient safety.”