It works by binding to opioid receptors in the brain to block pain signals<\/a> travelling through the central nervous system. Despite the shortages, Dr Hannbeck stressed that patients should not panic or attempt to stockpile medicines. <\/p>\n MORE ON HEALTH<\/p>\n She said: \u201cThere is no need to panic. We will do everything we can – we may offer something else or a different format, like a liquid format. Community pharmacists will always do everything they can to not leave you without your medicine.\u201d<\/p>\n Codeine is available on prescription in several forms, including tablets, liquid, syrup and injections, although injections are usually only administered in hospitals<\/a>. The warning comes amid a wider trend of medicine shortages affecting pharmacies across the UK. <\/p>\n Supplies of several commonly prescribed drugs, including blood pressure medicines<\/a>, epilepsy treatments and antidepressants, have also been disrupted. Dr Hannbeck told the Express<\/a>: \u201cWe want patients to be aware that we are now experiencing this increasingly, with medicine shortages and something needs to be done about it.\u201d<\/p>\n She urged people who are affected to contact their MPs to help raise awareness of the issue. Dr Hannbeck added that shortages of some blood pressure medications are continuing. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Pharmacists raised concerns earlier this year about supply problems involving drugs such as irbesartan, ramipril and propanolol. She said: \u201cQuite a few of these very common blood pressure medicines are in short supply.\u201d<\/p>\n Olivier Picard, chair of the National Pharmacy Association, said the shortages were affecting millions of patients<\/a> and leaving pharmacies struggling to source essential medicines. He said: \u201cWe’re aware of shortages of vital blood pressure medication as well as painkillers prescribed to millions of people, impacting patients and pharmacies.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is just one of a growing list of hundreds of commonly prescribed medicines that pharmacies cannot reliably source for their patients, leaving patients going from pillar to post to get the medication they depend on. We urge patients who use these medications to speak to their GP and always order your repeat medicines<\/a> in plenty of time before your current supply runs out.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Obsessed](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/wellnesswatch-whatsapppromoapp.png\")
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