![\"Elderly](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/0_Elderly-man-looking-at-medications-on-a-pharmacy-shelf.jpg\")
<\/p>\nPharmacies are facing worsening shortages of vital medication including blood pressure drugs and aspirin due to serious supply constraints and NHS underfunding, sector leaders have warned<\/p>\n
10:47, 03 Feb 2026Updated 10:54, 03 Feb 2026<\/p>\n
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Pharmacists are calling for greater powers to substitute out of stock drugs(Image: Getty)<\/p>\n
Pharmacies are grappling with escalating shortages of crucial medication, including blood pressure<\/a> drugs and aspirin<\/a>, due to severe supply constraints and underfunding by the NHS,<\/a> according to industry leaders. The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) recently raised concerns about widespread shortages of aspirin, a drug essential for preventing heart attacks and strokes in certain individuals.<\/p>\n This follows reported shortages of blood pressure medications such as propranolol and ramipril<\/a>. While some shortages can be attributed to global supply issues, pharmacists have warned that a discrepancy between the cost of dispensing drugs and the reimbursement pharmacies receive from the NHS<\/a> is exacerbating the situation.<\/p>\n The NPA revealed that the price of a packet of aspirin 75mg dispersible tablets had surged from 18p earlier last year to \u00a33.90 in January, yet the NHS only reimburses pharmacies \u00a32.18 per packet. Similarly, the blood pressure drug Irbesartan costs pharmacies \u00a36.09, but they only receive \u00a31.68 from the NHS, according to NPA analysis.<\/p>\n READ MORE: People who claim one benefit can cut BBC TV Licence bill to \u00a30 in 16 minutes<\/a> Blood pressure medications have been affected by shortages(Image: Getty)<\/p>\n Henry Gregg, chief executive of the NPA, told the i Paper: “It is a scandal that all too often pharmacies are subsidising the cost of the nation’s medicines<\/a>. It pushes pharmacies to the edge of closure and exacerbates chronic problems with medicine supply.”<\/p>\n He added: “The Government must stop funding pharmacies below the cost price of medicines – no other part of the NHS would tolerate this.”<\/p>\n A report by the Company Chemists’ Association (CAA) this week has warned that pharmacy dispensing is struggling under record NHS demand and inflation. CAA chief executive Malcolm Harrison stated: “Dispensing, whilst often undervalued and overlooked, provides enormous benefits to patients, the NHS and taxpayers.”<\/p>\n He added, “Community pharmacies remain the cornerstone of local, accessible, high-quality healthcare, yet mounting pressures threaten their ability to fulfil this role.”<\/p>\n He further commented, “Decades of underfunding have weakened the sector, and without urgent investment and reform, patient access to essential services will be at risk.”<\/p>\n![\"Monitoring](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/0_Monitoring-blood-pressure.jpg\")
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