Overview

• A June survey of more than 4,300 pharmacy owners and 1,600 workers shows shortages have worsened since 2022, with 73% warning patient health is at risk.
• 39% of pharmacy staff spend one to two hours and 26% spend over two hours each day securing scarce medicines, stretching teams thin.
• 79% of professionals report incidents of patient aggression when prescriptions are unavailable or delayed.
• The government has issued serious shortage protocols for treatments including antipsychotics, antibiotics and cardiovascular drugs, while ADHD, diabetes and epilepsy medications remain in short supply.
• Health sector leaders have welcomed a £617 million funding boost but are pressing for regulatory reforms to allow safe substitutions and tackle low UK drug prices.