Multiple National Health Service trusts across England have reported disruptions in their supplies of essential medications, according to findings from freedom of information requests conducted by a University College London expert in global health supply chains. The shortages have affected aspirin, a painkiller used for pain relief and blood clot prevention; co-codamol, which combines paracetamol and codeine for muscle and dental pain; and ramipril, a blood pressure medication. Among 60 trusts that responded to inquiries about these three drugs, one trust—Kent community health NHS trust—reported running short of all three medications simultaneously.
The scope of the supply disruptions varied by medication. Aspirin shortages were the most prevalent, affecting 26 of 42 trusts that provided data, representing a disruption period between last December and March. Co-codamol supply problems occurred in 13 of 42 responding trusts, with some facilities experiencing shortages lasting multiple months. Ramipril shortages occurred in 7 of 43 trusts that reported on the drug. Some trusts took measures to address the scarcity, including paying premium prices to maintain uninterrupted access for patients.
Pharmacy professionals have characterized the supply challenges as a national crisis, in some instances preventing patients from accessing their regular medications for extended periods. The shortages are attributed to trade disputes, international conflicts, and manufacturing difficulties affecting the healthcare system’s supply chains. Researchers noted a shift in recent years, with generic medications—which are less expensive to manufacture—increasingly facing availability problems alongside more specialized drugs.
The Department of Health and Social Care indicated it is working with manufacturers to resolve the shortages. Officials stated that serious shortage protocols have been implemented for ramipril and that the majority of licensed medicines remain in adequate supply across the United Kingdom. Nearly all responding trusts reported lacking contingency plans for supply disruptions, and most had not reported their scarcity issues to NHS England. Experts have recommended strengthening the current reporting system to include obligations for NHS trusts alongside pharmaceutical companies.
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