News | Medicines shortages

Feature

Non-NHS provision of medicines: what are the issues?

As the government asks for evidence on private prescribing, concerns are being raised over the impact of the changing landscape and its impact on NHS medicines supply.…

Published: 11 September 2025

News

CCA renews call for pharmacists to make medicines substitutions as part of community ‘pharmacy prospectus’

The Company Chemists’ Association says its proposals could free up 51 million GP appointments each year.…

Published: 11 September 2025

News

Pharmacists could be given right to amend prescriptions to tackle medicines shortages

The Department of Health and Social Care has outlined proposals to give pharmacists the ability to supply an alternative strength or formulation to improve patient access.…

Published: 11 August 2025

News

Nine in ten pharmacies report increase in shoplifting over past year

A survey of independent pharmacies revealed almost one-quarter of respondents (22%) have experienced physical assaults on staff over the past year.…

Published: 11 August 2025

News

GPhC warns of emerging patient safety issues

In a letter to pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacy owners, Roz Gittins has highlighted concerns reported to the regulator and the importance of ensuring safe and effective pharmacy care for patients.…

Published: 8 August 2025

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House of Lords committee calls for evidence on medicines supply resilience

The call for evidence highlights an investigation, conducted by The Pharmaceutical Journal, that found an almost 70% increase in medicines shortages reported to the government between 2021 and 2023.…

Published: 7 August 2025

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TB medicines shortage to last until end of 2025

A national patient safety alert has asked hospital procurement teams to review current stocks and work towards accessing licensed and unlicensed supplies, where available.…

Published: 31 July 2025

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MPs call for more patient input to address UK’s medicines shortages problem

A report from the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Pharmacy has called for the creation of a national patient advisory panel on medicines shortages.…

Published: 8 July 2025

News

Three-quarters of pharmacists say patient safety is at risk from medicine delays

Responding to Community Pharmacy England’s pharmacy pressures survey, 87% of pharmacy staff also reported daily problems arising from supply issues, up from 67% in 2022.…

Published: 30 June 2025

News

Pharmacy bodies warn that demand for weight-loss drug will outstrip supply

Around 220,000 patients could be prescribed Mounjaro in the first three years of the drug's availability to NHS patients in England, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has estimated.…

Published: 24 June 2025