Overview

• Medicine shortages in the UK have more than doubled since 2020, with significant impacts on essential drugs like antibiotics and epilepsy medication.
• Brexit has intensified the UK's drug supply problems, disrupting smooth import processes and slowing down drug approvals compared to the EU.
• Global factors including COVID-19, inflation, and international instability have also strained the medicine supply chains.
• Efforts to manage shortages through increased monitoring and financial adjustments have been implemented, but challenges persist.
• The UK's departure from the EU could hinder its access to collective European measures aimed at addressing drug shortages.