Pharmacists across the country have reported issues
A woman holding a pill(Image: Getty Images)
Pharmacies across the UK are experiencing a shortage of a common painkiller.
According to the National Pharmacy Association (NPA), problems have been reported with sourcing some strengths of co-codamol.
There are shortages of 30mg and 500mg tablets, which is said to be having a knock-on effect on other strengths.
Some suppliers have told pharmacists issues could last until at least the end of June, the NPA said.
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The NPA represents around 6,000 independent community pharmacies
Olivier Picard, chair of the NPA, said: “Pharmacies are telling us they have struggled to order in supplies of some strengths of co-codamol, with a number reporting that supply disruption will last at least until June.
“This is deeply distressing for patients living with severe pain, and pharmacists are working tirelessly to find safe alternatives or manage very limited stock.”
Co-codamol is a commonly prescribed painkiller which is made of a mix of paracetamol and codeine.
It is used to treat a wide range of pain, such as toothache, period pain and muscle pain.
According to NHS figures, 1.25 million items a month of co-codamol were prescribed to patients in 2025.
Mr Picard added: “Where pharmacies have supplies, they will be doing all they can to manage them to ensure patients get the medication they need.
“We face ever growing issues with medicine supplies which are compounded by the NHS not funding the full cost pharmacies have to pay to get the medicines patients need.
“The Government must urgently act to address a growing list of medicine shortages impacting patients and pharmacists alike, who end up at the sharp end of an increasingly difficult medicine supply system.”
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