Medicine shortages

Any medicine supply disruption may be concerning. Generally, disruptions affect a very small proportion of the medicines used within the Health Service. Most shortages can be managed without interrupting people’s supplies, as the Health Service has systems in place to make sure you can continue to receive the treatments you need.

Disruptions to medicine supplies

Medicines are manufactured as part of a highly regulated, complex and global industry.

This means supply disruptions are not uncommon and can occur for a variety of reasons.

Medicine shortages can happen due to:

manufacturing issues
disruption of raw materials
transport route diversions
demand for a product which is greater than the manufacturer’s supply

If there is a supply disruption affecting a medicine, there are well-established tools and processes that can be applied to make sure patients can get the medicines they need.

What to expect if there is a medicine shortage

If there is a supply disruption affecting your medicine:

you may have to wait a bit longer to get your medicine
you may receive a smaller amount of your medicine and need to collect it more often
you may receive your medicine in a different container
you may receive a different brand, formulation or preparation to the medicine you normally receive

Discussing a medicine shortage with a healthcare professional

Healthcare professionals working in the Health Service will be advised of any known supply disruption affecting a medicine.

A healthcare professional can give you advice and guidance on your treatment options. This can include advice on when your medicine is expected to be back in stock.

Community pharmacists are experts on the purchasing, supply and use of medicines. They may be your first point of contact for advice on any supply disruption affecting your treatment.

You may have to speak to another healthcare professional who prescribed your medication. This may include your local doctor (GP) or in some cases, a specialist, such as a hospital consultant.

While supply disruptions can be frustrating, no form of violence or abuse towards Health Service staff is acceptable.

Healthcare professionals recognise that supply disruptions can be concerning and will make sure you continue to receive the treatment you need.

What you can do if there is a medicine shortage

If your medicine is affected by a supply disruption, you may wish to consider the following:

check if your medicine is available from another pharmacy
order your medicine or repeat prescription in advance, in line with your GP practice’s policy, while you still have medication, so your pharmacist can get it in good time
only order the medication you need
avoid stockpiling or ordering more than you need until your next prescription
continue to take your medicine as prescribed by a healthcare professional

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