Medication shortages: full list of drugs UK pharmacies are running low on
Pharmacists have warned that a number of vital types of medicine - including diabetes drugs, antiviral treatments, blood pressure pills and painkillers - could all be in short supply.
A poll by Chemist + Druggist has revealed the drugs crisis that could affect millions who are in desperate need of medical treatment.
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Hide AdThe survey, which involved 402 pharmacists, found that almost half of pharmacy teams now spend more than an hour every day ringing round GPs and wholesalers trying to source the drugs they need for their customers. Manufacturing problems are to blame for the shortage, and pharmacists surveyed have described their situation as “living on a knife edge” and called for “urgent action”.
Which drugs are in short supply?
The nationwide survey found that the shortage of drugs was an issue across 36 major categories of medicine.
Diuretics
Anti-arrhythmic drugs
Beta-adrenoceptor blocking drugs
Antihypertensive drugs
Anticoagulants
Antipsychotic drugs
Corticosteroids
Laxatives
Calcium-channel blocking drugs
Nitrates
Sympathomimetics
Antiplatelet drugs
Lipid-regulating drugs
Bronchodilators
Antihistamines
Cough preparations
Nasal decongestants
Hypnotics and anxiolytics
Antidepressant drugs
Analgesics
Antiepileptic drugs
Drugs used in alcohol, nicotine o…
Antibacterial drugs
Antifungal drugs
Antiviral drugs
Antidiabetic drugs
Contraceptives
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory…
Rubefacients, topical NSAIDS, or…
Anti-infective eye preparations
Emollient and barrier preparations
Topical corticosteroids
Immunological products and…
Dressings
Appliances
Hormone replacement therapy
The Department for Health has denied that any of the shortage is related to Brexit.
A total of 84 per cent of the pharmacists interviewed said that they had experienced shortages of HRT in the past six months. This medication is needed by thousands to help alleviate menopause symptoms.
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Hide AdDiabetes drug shortages were experienced by more than a fifth of pharmacists, while two thirds said that contraceptive drugs had been scarce and more than half reported a lack of painkilling creams.
And antidepressants and antipsychotic drugs were reported as being in short supply, too.