England Faces Critical Aspirin Shortage as 86% of Pharmacies Report Supply Issues
Health officials have issued a stark warning about what they describe as a dangerous drug shortage affecting pharmacies across England, with nine out of ten establishments struggling to supply patients with essential aspirin medication.
Widespread Supply Chain Disruption
The National Pharmacy Association, representing approximately 6,000 pharmacies nationwide, has revealed alarming statistics showing that 86 per cent of pharmacies reported being unable to supply aspirin to their patients within the last seven days. This comes despite the medication being prescribed around 50 million times in the UK during 2025 alone.
Olivier Picard, chair of the NPA, expressed serious concerns about the situation, stating: "We're concerned about reports of pharmacies being unable to order in stocks of aspirin and the implications this might have for the patients they serve."
Financial Pressures on Pharmacies
The crisis has been exacerbated by significant financial challenges facing pharmacy businesses. Mr Picard further explained: "For those pharmacies that can get hold of supply, costs will far exceed what they will be reimbursed by the NHS."
Dr Leyla Hannbeck, chief executive of the Independent Pharmacies Association representing around 5,000 pharmacies, provided additional context to the shortage: "These low stock levels are partly due to manufacturing delays, but also because pharmacies are simply unable to order the quantities they need."
Systemic Issues in Medicine Supply
Dr Hannbeck highlighted deeper systemic problems within the UK's pharmaceutical supply chain: "The reality is that the prices paid for many medicines by the NHS are so low that manufacturers often prioritise supplying other countries instead, leaving the UK pushed to the back of the queue."
She continued: "When limited stock becomes available then the prices shoot up to levels that become unaffordable for pharmacies to order and they are left severely out of pocket."
Calls for Urgent Government Action
Both pharmacy organisations are calling for immediate intervention from government authorities. Dr Hannbeck emphasised: "It is vital that the Government urgently reviews how medicines are reimbursed to pharmacies, otherwise these shortages will only worsen."
Mr Picard proposed practical solutions to address the immediate crisis: "We've long called for pharmacists to be able to make substitutions where a medicine is not in stock and it is safe to supply an alternative."
Patient Safety Concerns
The current situation has raised significant concerns about patient welfare and safety. Mr Picard warned: "The status quo is not only frustrating for patients, it is also dangerous. It is madness to send someone back to their GP to get a prescription changed when a safe alternative is in stock."
He further cautioned about the potential consequences: "It risks a patient either delaying taking vital medication or forgoing it altogether, which poses a clear risk to patient safety."
Advice for Affected Patients
For individuals currently experiencing difficulties obtaining their prescribed aspirin, Dr Hannbeck offered practical guidance: "In the meantime, anyone affected by a medicine shortage should speak to their local pharmacist, who is a highly trained healthcare professional and can advise on suitable alternatives where available."
The aspirin shortage represents a significant challenge to England's healthcare infrastructure, with industry leaders warning that without prompt government intervention and systemic reform, the situation could deteriorate further, potentially affecting millions of patients who rely on this essential medication for various health conditions.
