Medicines shortages taking heavy toll on community pharmacies, politicians hear

Community Pharmacy England has highlighted the ongoing impact of medicines shortages on community pharmacy teams and patients at a meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Pharmacy.

The meeting, Maximising Value for Medicines: One Year On from the Medicines Shortages Report, brought together Parliamentarians and representatives from Government, the pharmaceutical industry, wholesalers, patient organisations and pharmacy organisations to review progress since the APPG published its report on medicines shortages in 2025.

Representing Community Pharmacy England, Dr. James Davies, Director of Research and Insights, outlined evidence showing that pharmacy teams continue to face significant workload pressures associated with medicines shortages. He explained that shortages are increasingly being driven by economic factors as well as manufacturing and supply chain issues, creating a worsening picture in some areas.

James also highlighted the growing number of Drug Tariff concession price applications, noting that while concession prices are intended to support patient access during shortages, the current process creates a considerable administrative burden for pharmacies. He suggested that alternative pricing approaches should be explored to help improve long-term resilience and reduce unnecessary bureaucracy.

Credit: APPG on Pharmacy

Throughout the discussion, there was broad agreement that community pharmacy teams continue to play a vital role in maintaining patient access to medicines, often acting as the NHS’s first line of defence during supply disruptions. Speakers recognised that pharmacists spend considerable time sourcing medicines, liaising with prescribers and supporting patients through shortages, much of which remains unfunded and takes teams away from delivering direct patient care.

Participants also discussed the need to make better use of pharmacists’ clinical expertise during shortages, including giving pharmacists greater flexibility to substitute medicines where clinically appropriate. Many felt this could improve patient access to treatment while reducing pressures across the wider NHS.

The meeting also explored the wider challenges affecting medicines supply, including global market pressures, procurement and reimbursement arrangements, forecasting, data sharing and supply chain resilience. Participants agreed that while collaboration between Government and the sector has improved over the past year, more action is needed to address the root causes of medicines shortages and strengthen the resilience of the UK’s medicines supply chain.

The APPG’s discussions will inform its forthcoming follow-up report, Medicines Value and Shortages: One Year On, which is expected to make further recommendations to improve medicines security, strengthen supply chain resilience and maximise value from medicines across the NHS.

James Davies, Director of Research and Insights at Community Pharmacy England, said:

“Medicines supply remains under significant pressure, with management of shortages continuing to be complex and time-consuming for all involved. Community pharmacy teams, as the front door to the NHS, continue to shoulder the impact.

It is deeply concerning that little meaningful progress for patients has been made since last year’s APPG report. Our 2026 Pharmacy Pressures Survey found that 86% of pharmacies are spending more time sourcing medicines than they did a year ago, with 72% of pharmacy team members reporting that patients are affected by medicines shortages on a daily basis.

These findings underline the urgent need for reform of the medicines supply system. At a minimum, the Government must deliver on its commitment to introduce pharmacist flexibilities, enabling pharmacists to make appropriate amendments to prescriptions and help mitigate the impact of shortages on patients.”