A pharmacy leader has warned that medicine shortages are becoming a daily problem, with common drugs including painkillers and blood pressure medications affected
Elaine Blackburne and Hanna Geissler
11:40, 04 Mar 2026Updated 14:04, 04 Mar 2026
Some medications are in reduced supply(Image: ferrantraite via Getty Images)
Shortages in some key medicines are “not getting better” – and more drugs will be added to the list, it has been warned. Dr Leyla Hannbeck, chief executive of the Independent Pharmacies Association, says pharmacists are regularly witnessing common items “all of a sudden shooting up in price and becoming very difficult to obtain”.
She explained: “When they start going short in stock, the prices shoot up, leaving pharmacists out of pocket and many unable to buy these because they’re not getting reimbursed. It is a very, very difficult situation, and unfortunately, we are not seeing any attempt by the Department of Health to look at the fundamental issue here – that the whole system needs reviewing.”
Over recent months, everyday medications such as aspirin and blood pressure treatments like ramipril and propranolol have been affected. Drugs for epilepsy and depression have also been impacted.
Dr Hannbeck revealed that pharmacists are occasionally requested to ration supplies, giving priority to patients with the greatest need. Export bans have been implemented to safeguard UK stocks, reports the Express.
A number of popular medications including aspirin have been affected(Image: Getty Images)
However, she noted: “At the end of the day, that doesn’t solve the problem. This can help a little bit, but it’s patching up. It doesn’t really solve the real issue, which is the whole system needs reviewing.”
The leading pharmacist warned that medicine shortages are becoming an everyday challenge. She stated: “Before it used to be more occasional, affecting particular medicines here and there.
“It’s now daily that we’re was struggling to get medicines in, and it’s affecting a lot of common medicines. Right now it’s affecting really, very popular medicines as well that affect a significant portion of the population.”
Dr Hannbeck appealed to patients not to panic or try to hoard medication, as this can exacerbate supply issues. Nevertheless, she encouraged the public to help highlight the problem by contacting their local MP.
She stated: “Community pharmacists will always do everything they can to not leave you without your medicine, but we continue asking patients to please raise this your local member of parliament. As healthcare professionals, we have been banging on about this, but patients’ voices need to be heard.
“Whilst you may get your medicines because we’ve gone over and above to ensure that you get it, this system is not sustainable. We are worried that as months pass by, it will get worse if the fundamentals are not addressed.”
She added: “So before things get worse, get in touch with members of the parliament and raise this.” You can find out who your MP is and how to contact them on the parliament website.
Dr Hannbeck additionally urged patients to show patience when attending their local pharmacy. She continued: “Some patients get abusive in the pharmacies, they start throwing things around and shout abuse. It’s not our fault.”
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson stated: “The UK’s licensed medicines are in good supply and to make sure this remains the case, we are investing more in the domestic medicine manufacturing industry. We are aware of supply issues with some medicines to treat blood pressure – we are working closely with suppliers to resolve current disruptions and ensure continuity of supply.”