{"id":547661,"date":"2026-04-24T04:42:25","date_gmt":"2026-04-24T04:42:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/547661\/"},"modified":"2026-04-24T04:42:25","modified_gmt":"2026-04-24T04:42:25","slug":"packet-of-painkillers-costs-9-as-soaring-medicine-prices-push-pharmacies-to-brink","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/547661\/","title":{"rendered":"Packet of painkillers costs \u00a39 as soaring medicine prices push pharmacies to brink"},"content":{"rendered":"

The war in Iran has caused the cost of some everyday medicines such as painkillers <\/a>and cardiovascular drugs to skyrocket, pharmacists<\/a> have warned.<\/p>\n

Customers of some community pharmacies<\/a> are turning up to find the price of over-the-counter medicines is changing on a daily basis, with some being charged up to 30 per cent more for paracetamol than they were in February.<\/p>\n

One specific type of aspirin which cost \u00a32 before the war is now costing chemists almost \u00a310 to buy per pack \u2013 with a warning that prices will ultimately have to be passed on to consumers.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tShorts \u2013 Quick stories\n\t\t<\/p>\n

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Cancer cases at record high in Britain<\/p>\n

Rates of the disease are being driven up by obesity and an
ageing population, it has been reported.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"image\" <\/p>\n

\nCancer rates in Britain\n<\/p>\n

403,000<\/p>\n

The number of people a year being diagnosed with cancer, according to analysis by Cancer Research UK.<\/p>\n

This is an increase from 285,000 people 20 years ago and 345,000 people 10 years ago.<\/p>\n

15%<\/p>\n

There has been a 15 per cent increase in the chance of diagnosis since the 90s.\u00a0<\/p>\n

What\u2019s causing the increase?<\/p>\n

Obesity levels have doubled since the 90s. This is the second-biggest cause of cancer after smoking.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Improvements in detection, such as NHS screening programmes for breast and bowel cancer, have also caused a rise in diagnoses.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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LIFESTYLE<\/p>\n

7 min read<\/p>\n

\nWhat about survival rates?\n<\/p>\n

Golden age<\/p>\n

Survival rates for cancer have doubled over the past 50 years due to a \u201cgolden age\u201d of treatment.<\/p>\n

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Stalled progress<\/p>\n

Cancer Research UK\u2019s report said long NHS waiting times were holding back improvements in survival rates.<\/p>\n

Waiting times<\/p>\n

The report revealed that 107,000 patients had to wait too long to begin treatment last year.<\/p>\n

\"image\" <\/p>\n

More to be done<\/p>\n

Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, said that the Government\u2019s National Cancer Plan \u201ccould make a big difference, but only if it turns into improvements for cancer patients\u201d.<\/p>\n

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LIFESTYLE<\/p>\n

7 min read<\/p>\n

NEWS<\/p>\n

The global number of billionaires could hit 4,000 in five years\u2019 time<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

This figure comes as the class of super-rich around the world is increasing at a rising pace.<\/p>\n

\nNumber of super-rich is rising\n<\/p>\n

There are currently 3,110 billionaires globally, analysis by estate agent Knight Frank has revealed.<\/p>\n

This is predicted to rise by 25 per cent in the next five years, reaching a total of 3,915.<\/p>\n

\"image\" <\/p>\n

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The multimillionaire class is also growing significantly, as the number of individuals worth at least $30m (\u00a322m) has increased by 300 per cent since 2021 to 713,626.<\/p>\n

New technology is increasing opportunities to get rich<\/p>\n

The ability to scale a business has never been higher. That ha fed into the ability to make big fortunes quickly, superchargec by tech and Al.<\/p>\n

LIAM BAILEY, HEAD OF RESEARCH AT
KNIGHT FRANK<\/p>\n

\"image\" <\/p>\n

Inequality widens\u2026<\/p>\n

The gap between the world\u2019s richest and poorest continues to widen.<\/p>\n

The World Inequality report revealed that 0.001 per cent of the world\u2019s population control three times as much wealth as the entirety of the poorest half.<\/p>\n

Calls for global leaders to increase taxes on the super-rich have increased, as concern rises that the wealthy are buying political influence.<\/p>\n

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Exclusive<\/p>\n

6 min read<\/p>\n

NEWS<\/p>\n

Six-year-old\u2019s sight restored after breakthrough therapy<\/p>\n

\"EMBARGOEDCaption: EMBARGOED TO 1930 WEDNESDAY APRIL 22
Undated handout photo issued by Great Ormond Street Hospital of Saffie Sandford, with her parents Lisa and Tam. The six-year-old has had her sight restored thanks to a life-changing eye gene therapy on the NHS. Saffie, from Stevenage in Hertfordshire, has the rare condition Leber\u2019s Congenital Amaurosis (LCA) which prevents cells in the eye from making a specific protein needed for normal vision. Moorfields Eye Hospital in London carried out tests on Saffie and then she was transferred to Great Ormond Street Hospital (Gosh) to have the eye gene therapy, Luxturna. This treatment is the first of its kind for one of the genetic causes of LCA. Issue date: Wednesday April 22, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Family handout\/PA Wire<\/p>\n

NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.
Photographer: Family handout
Provider: Family handout\/PA Wire
Source: PA<\/p>\n

Saffie Sandford, aged six, regained her sight after life-changing eye gene therapy on the NHS for a rare condition.<\/p>\n

Saffie is at risk of complete eyesight loss<\/p>\n

Saffie was diagnosed with a rare inherited condition called Leber\u2019s Congenital Amaurosis (LCA) when she was five.<\/p>\n

This prevents cells in the eye producing a specific protein that is required for normal vision.<\/p>\n

Babies and children with LCA have low vision in daylight and no vision in low light.
\u00a0<\/p>\n

They can also lose their sight entirely in adulthood.<\/p>\n

\nA landmark treatment\n<\/p>\n

Saffie was transferred to the Great Ormand Street Hospital to have the eye gene therapy, Luxturna.<\/p>\n

\"EMBARGOEDCaption: EMBARGOED TO 1930 WEDNESDAY APRIL 22
Undated handout photo issued by Great Ormond Street Hospital of six-year-old Saffie Sandford who has had her sight restored thanks to a life-changing eye gene therapy on the NHS. Saffie Sandford, from Stevenage in Hertfordshire, has the rare condition Leber???s Congenital Amaurosis (LCA) which prevents cells in the eye from making a specific protein needed for normal vision.<\/p>\n

. Issue date: Wednesday April 22, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: \/PA Wire<\/p>\n

NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.
Provider: \/PA Wire
Source: PA<\/p>\n

\"EMBARGOEDCaption: EMBARGOED TO 1930 WEDNESDAY APRIL 22
Undated handout photo issued by Great Ormond Street Hospital of six-year-old Saffie Sandford who has had her sight restored thanks to a life-changing eye gene therapy on the NHS. Saffie, from Stevenage in Hertfordshire, has the rare condition Leber\u2019s Congenital Amaurosis (LCA) which prevents cells in the eye from making a specific protein needed for normal vision. Moorfields Eye Hospital in London carried out tests on Saffie and then she was transferred to Great Ormond Street Hospital (Gosh) to have the eye gene therapy, Luxturna. This treatment is the first of its kind for one of the genetic causes of LCA. Issue date: Wednesday April 22, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Family handout\/PA Wire<\/p>\n

NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.
Photographer: Family handout
Provider: Family handout\/PA Wire
Source: PA<\/p>\n

The one-off therapy contains a healthy copy of the gene which is directly injected into the patient\u2019s eye.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Saffie underwent the therapy in her first eye in April 2025 and her second in September.<\/p>\n

\n\u2018Life-changing\u2019 treatment\n<\/p>\n

\u2018It\u2019s like someone waved a magic wand\u2019<\/p>\n

\"EMBARGOEDCaption: EMBARGOED TO 1930 WEDNESDAY APRIL 22
Undated handout photo issued by Great Ormond Street Hospital of six-year-old Saffie Sandford who has had her sight restored thanks to a life-changing eye gene therapy on the NHS. Saffie, from Stevenage in Hertfordshire, has the rare condition Leber\u2019s Congenital Amaurosis (LCA) which prevents cells in the eye from making a specific protein needed for normal vision. Moorfields Eye Hospital in London carried out tests on Saffie and then she was transferred to Great Ormond Street Hospital (Gosh) to have the eye gene therapy, Luxturna. This treatment is the first of its kind for one of the genetic causes of LCA. Issue date: Wednesday April 22, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Family handout\/PA Wire<\/p>\n

NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.
Photographer: Family handout
Provider: Family handout\/PA Wire
Source: PA<\/p>\n

Saffie\u2019s mother, Lisa, said she is \u201ceternally grateful\u201d for the treatment which means she can see in the dark and helped improve her performance at school<\/p>\n

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NEWS<\/p>\n

9 min read<\/p>\n

Harry makes surprise return to Ukraine<\/p>\n

Prince Harry made a return to Ukraine urging the world not to lose sight of what the country is
up against.<\/p>\n

\"PrinceCaption:
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Founder of the
@WeAreInvictus
, has arrived in Ukraine at the invitation of the #KyivSecurityForum. He will attend the 18th annual #KSF, address the forum?s participants, and take part in a panel discussion featuring Ukrainian veterans.
Kyiv Security Forum
@ksfopenukraine<\/p>\n

\u2018Good to be back\u2019<\/p>\n

The Prince arrived at Kyiv rail station on Thursday following an overnight train from Poland.\u00a0<\/p>\n

He told ITV News he wanted \u201cto remind people back home and around the world what Ukraine is up against and to support the people\u201d in their fight.<\/p>\n

\"GrabsCaption:
Grabs from ITV NEws
Exclusive: Watch as Prince Harry arrives for a surprise visit in Ukraine.<\/p>\n

ITV News\u2019 Royal Editor
@chrisshipitv
joined the Duke of Sussex as he arrived in Kyiv this morning.
Image: ITV News
@itvnews<\/p>\n

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OPINION<\/p>\n

3 min read<\/p>\n

NEWS<\/p>\n

Ukraine war about \u2018values\u2019 not just land<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Harry praised Ukraine as \u201ca country bravely and successfully defending Europe\u2019s eastern flank\u201d and said \u201cit matters that we don\u2019t lose sight of the significance of that\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n

He also warned the world not to become \u201cnumb\u201d to the Ukraine war.\u00a0\u201cThis is a war about values, not just territory\u201d, the Prince added.<\/p>\n

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Superintendent pharmacist Ali Hussain, who runs Chigwell Pharmacy and two others in Essex, said medicine price rises have been exacerbated by the war in the Middle East.<\/p>\n

He said a 32-pack of paracetamol had doubled in price since the start of the year, while cetirizine, an over-the-counter medication for hay fever, was also around twice as much than it had been in January.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe anticipate this to get worse in the coming months and will have no choice but to pass on the increases. Our wholesalers will, no doubt, start to introduce fuel surcharges to us very soon,\u201d Hussain said. <\/p>\n

Ashley Cohen, who has pharmacies in Halton in Leeds and Acomb in York, has already had to pass on the costs to patients.<\/p>\n

He said: \u201cWe are changing our [over-the-counter] medicines prices on a daily basis because of the prices. It is almost like the price of fuel.<\/p>\n

\u201cHayfever medication cetirizine was 19p and I am now getting it for 37p. But some suppliers are selling it for \u00a33.\u201d<\/p>\n

Surges in the price of fuel as a result of the war<\/a> have pushed up manufacturing and transportation costs in the pharmaceutical sector, with pharmacies hit with the higher prices for drugs.<\/p>\n

Soaring freight costs are also affecting the cost and supply of medicines, and the NHS is particularly exposed to this as one in five NHS medicines are imported by air.<\/p>\n

Leyla Hannbeck, pharmacist and chief executive of the Independent Pharmacies Association, which represents around 5,000 pharmacies in England and Wales, said March and April were \u201cbreaking the record\u201d for the number of medicines that have gone up in price.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s everything and anything really,\u201d Hannbeck said. \u201cAspirin, for example, has jumped up really heavily. Aspirin 75g dispersible tablets\u2026 a pack of 100 has gone from \u00a32.46 to \u00a39.96 in March. The smaller size (28 tablets) has gone from 69p to \u00a32.80.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hannbeck said while some over-the-counter allergy medicines used for hay fever have increased in price, pharmacies were being hardest hit by the increase in the cost of prescription medicines<\/a> which they have a legal duty to dispense, even if it means doing so at a loss.<\/p>\n

One of the most common strengths of co-codamol, which is used to treat aches and ailments including period pain and migraines, has increased from \u00a34.30 to \u00a36.70, with another strength having increased from \u00a36.13 to \u00a38.44, Hannbeck said.<\/p>\n

Pharmacies generate around 90 per cent of their income from providing NHS services and dispensing NHS medicines, for which they are reimbursed at a set price.<\/p>\n

In instances where pharmacies cannot source medicines at or below the reimbursement price outlined in the Drug Tariff, the Department of Health and Social Care can introduce a price concession at the request of Community Pharmacy England. This means pharmacies can be paid more for medicines that have soared in price \u2013 but only for the month in which the concession is issued.<\/p>\n

In March, 230 medicines were listed on the price concessions list, up from 90 in March 2025.<\/p>\n

Olivier Picard, pharmacist and chair of the National Pharmacy Association (NPA), said paracetamol had risen from 41p to \u00a31.99 for a pack of 100 500mg tablets in March, before reducing to \u00a31.09.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe cost of paracetamol between the 15 March and the 31 March quadrupled,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Picard added that if the price goes up significantly, his customers could also face higher prices for the everyday painkiller.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is a risk for those limited number of medicines that are available over-the-counter, patients may have to pay more to access these medicines,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The financial pressure of dispensing medicines at a loss repeatedly for months can be too much for some pharmacies, forcing them to close<\/a>. Around 1,400 have shut since 2016, according to analysis by the NPA.<\/p>\n

Thorrun Govind, a pharmacist based in Manchester, said: \u201cIt takes so much more time trying to purchase drugs nowadays than it used to. We are unable to plan for the future because of price changes so it is a struggle.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The war in Iran has caused the cost of some everyday medicines such as painkillers and cardiovascular drugs…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":547662,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[42],"tags":[1319,102,2960,1431,126979,6591,3100,8084,56,54,55],"class_list":{"0":"post-547661","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-medication","8":"tag-consumer","9":"tag-health","10":"tag-healthcare","11":"tag-inflation","12":"tag-iran-crisis","13":"tag-medication","14":"tag-medicine","15":"tag-pharmacies","16":"tag-uk","17":"tag-united-kingdom","18":"tag-unitedkingdom"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/547661","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=547661"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/547661\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/547662"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=547661"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=547661"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=547661"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}