Supplies are expected to be limitied until the summer.
15:33, 18 Feb 2026Updated 15:45, 18 Feb 2026
Co-codamol tablets.(Image: Getty Images/Image Source)
Supplies of co-codamol will be limited in Scotland until the summer time, the Scottish Government has confirmed. There is currently a UK-wide shortage of the prescription-strength pain killer due to the Indian government delaying the authorisation to import ingredients required to make the drug there. Supplies are expected to be limited until June.
The Scottish Government has said alternative treatment options will be offered to those affected by the shortage in the meantime. Speaking to the BBC, the Scottish Government’s chief pharmaceutical officer Alison Strath said: “Medicine supply is a matter reserved to the UK government.
“We are aware of limited supplies of the commonly prescribed pain-relief medicine co-codamol and know this may cause some concern. Supply issues are expected until June 2026 and we are in regular contact with the UK Government to seek assurances they are doing all they can to resolve this.
“We have issued advice to health boards to ensure patients affected receive accurate information and clear advice. We would ask that patients do not contact their GP practice or community pharmacy – instead, work is underway to identify those who may be affected, and they will be offered alternative treatment options.”
Co-codamol is considered a strong painkiller because it combines paracetamol with codeine (an opioid), making it significantly more powerful than paracetamol or ibuprofen alone and effective for moderate to severe pain. It comes in three different strengths – containing either 8mg, 15mg or 30mg of codeine, as well as 500mg of paracetamol.
The lowest strength can be purchased from pharmacies but the others need to be prescribed by a doctor. Patients have been warned to gradually reduce their use of the painkiller as stopping altogether can bring on withdrawal symptoms.
NHS Lanarkshire has warned patients: “There is a temporary national shortage of co-codamol30mg/500mg tablets. This means that there will be verylimited supplies until at least the start of June 2026.
“There are other strengths of co-codamol tablets but there arenot enough supplies of these to move everyone onto them.This is also the same for codeine tablets.This means your GP or pharmacist may not be able to giveyou your usual tablets during this time. Paracetamol 500mgtablets are fully available and there is enough to cover theincreased demand.”
It adds that all patients – apart from patients having treatment for cancer – should start gradually reducing the number of tablets they take until stopping completely. No new patients will be prescribed co-codamol until supplies begin to return to normal later this year, although the health board added that this date cannot be guaranteed.
The statement added: “If you are taking your co-codamol tablets every day, you need tostart reducing your tablets now. Do this using the supply you haveat this time. The section below (How should I reduce my dose?)explains how you can reduce the number of tablets you takegradually.”
NHS Grampian listed a similar message, external, saying pharmacists should “use professional judgement to prioritise stocks and quantities supplied to patients.”
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