The UK is facing its worst drug shortages in four years, with pharmacists struggling to get hold of vital medications. Official figures reveal that medicine supply disruptions soared to 1,938 last year—the highest since 2021.
Drugs for conditions like epilepsy and cystic fibrosis are among those in short supply, leaving patients at risk.
🚧 Brexit’s role in the crisis
While global drug shortages are on the rise, the UK is being hit harder than most. A new report from the Nuffield Trust blames Brexit, stating that supply chains have shifted away from Britain.
The UK has seen the lowest growth in medicine imports of any G7 nation. Since 2015—the year before the EU referendum—our medicine imports have dropped nearly 20%. Meanwhile, UK drug exports to the EU have fallen by a third.
Mark Dayan, Brexit programme lead at the Nuffield Trust, warned:
“There is a real risk we’ll be left out as the EU takes action to safeguard its own medicine supply.”
🏥 Pharmacies struggling to cope
Pharmacists are on the front line of this crisis, turning away patients daily because of unavailable medications.
Nick Kaye, chair of the National Pharmacy Association, said:
“Pharmacies frequently face frustrated and distressed patients. It’s incredibly frustrating when we have a perfectly safe alternative on hand, but can’t legally offer it.”
He’s calling on the government to let pharmacists dispense suitable alternatives when a prescribed drug is unavailable.
🔍 Government response—too little, too late?
The government insists it has “robust measures” in place to tackle supply issues. A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said:
“We’re investing up to £520m to manufacture more medicines in the UK and working with global partners to secure supply chains.”
However, critics argue these steps don’t go far enough. Meanwhile, the EU is ramping up efforts to tackle its own shortages—potentially leaving the UK out in the cold.
With no clear signs of improvement, patients and pharmacies continue to bear the brunt of a worsening crisis.
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