Warning issued over new shortage of common medicine – ‘something needs to be done’

Pharmacists warned shortages were affecting drugs used by millions of Brits (Image: Getty)

A common painkiller is among the latest drugs to be affected by shortages in the UK, according to a top pharmacist. Dr Leyla Hannbeck, chief executive of the Independent Pharmacies Association, said codeine 15mg tablets had been out of stock from wholesalers recently, along with supplies of pregabalin used for chronic neuropathic pain.

Codeine is an opioid-based painkiller used for short-term pain, such as after an operation or injury. It works in the central nervous system by binding to opioid receptors in the brain to block pain signals to the rest of the body. Dr Hannbeck urged patients not to panic or attempt to stockpile drugs, as this can make managing shortages more difficult. She added: “There is no need to panic. We will do everything we can — we may offer something else or a different format, like a liquid format.

“Community pharmacists will always do everything they can to not leave you without your medicine.”

Codeine is available on prescription as tablets, a liquid, syrup or injection. Injections are usually only given in hospital.

The shortage is part of a wider trend of medicine shortages in the UK which has also affected blood pressure medication, drugs for epilepsy and antidepressants.

Dr Hannbeck told the Express: “We want patients to be aware that we are now experiencing this increasingly, with medicine shortages, and something needs to be done about it.”

She urged people affected by the shortages to write to their MPs to help raise awareness of the issue.

Dr Hannbeck said shortages of blood pressure drugs were also continuing. Chemists sounded the alarm in January about shortages of key drugs including irbesartan, ramipril and propanolol. She added: “Quite a few of these very common blood pressure medicines are in short supply.”

Olivier Picard, chair of the National Pharmacy Association said: "We're aware of shortages of vital blood pressure medication as well as painkillers prescribed to millions of people, impacting patients and pharmacies.

"This is just one of a growing list of hundreds of commonly prescribed medicines that pharmacies cannot reliably source for their patients, leaving patients going from pillar to post to get the medication they depend on.

"We urge patients who use these medications to speak to their GP and always order your repeat medicines in plenty of time before your current supply runs out.”

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Pharmacists want greater powers to substitute out of stock medication (Image: Getty)

Mr Picard urged the Government to “urgently scrap red tape that prevents pharmacists from using their skills to supply a suitable alternative medicine where an item is not in stock”.

He added: "The legislation preventing this straightforward intervention was signed into law the same year as the advent of colour television and the Beatles were riding high at number one.

“These rules are antiquated, dangerous and simply not fit for purpose. it is madness to send someone back to their GP to get a prescription changed when a safe alternative is in stock at the pharmacy. The system should be updated urgently."

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “The UK's licensed medicines are in good supply and to make sure this remains the case, we are investing more in the domestic medicine manufacturing industry.

“We are aware of supply issues with some medicines to treat blood pressure — we are working closely with suppliers to resolve current disruptions and ensure continuity of supply.”

“We are not aware of a supply issue with codeine 15mg tablets.”