The United Kingdom is facing a critical medication shortage, with pharmacies across the nation reporting severe difficulties in obtaining aspirin supplies. According to alarming new data, a staggering 86 per cent of chemists were unable to provide aspirin to patients during the week of 13th to 20th January, creating what industry leaders are calling a dangerous situation for public health.
Emergency Rationing for Critical Patients
The National Pharmacy Association has revealed that pharmacists have been forced to implement strict rationing measures, reserving limited supplies exclusively for patients with the most serious acute conditions. Those requiring emergency prescriptions or managing critical health issues including stroke history, heart disease, chronic kidney disease, and diabetes are being prioritised as stocks plummet to unprecedented lows.
Several pharmacies have completely suspended over-the-counter sales of aspirin, further restricting access to this vital medication. Between January and October 2025, aspirin was prescribed an astonishing 50.9 million times across the UK, establishing it as one of the nation's most frequently prescribed medications.
Financial Strain on Pharmacies
The shortage has triggered dramatic price increases, with the cost of a packet of Aspirin 75mg dispersible tablets skyrocketing from just 18p last year to £3.90 this month. Meanwhile, the NHS reimbursement rate remains fixed at £2.18 per packet, creating a substantial financial loss of £1.72 for pharmacies each time they manage to dispense the medication.
Olivier Picard, Chair of the National Pharmacy Association, expressed grave concern about the situation. "We're deeply troubled by reports of pharmacies being unable to order aspirin stocks and the serious implications this has for patient care," he stated. "For those pharmacies that can obtain supply, costs far exceed NHS reimbursement rates, highlighting yet again the fundamentally broken pharmacy contract that desperately requires government reform."
Outdated Legislation Hindering Solutions
The NPA is urgently calling on the government to fast-track proposals that would abolish what they describe as dangerous and outdated legislation from 1968. Current rules prohibit pharmacists from making substitutions to prescriptions, even when the prescribed medicine is unavailable and safe alternatives exist.
"The status quo is not only frustrating for patients, it is genuinely dangerous," Picard emphasised. "It's madness to send someone back to their GP for a prescription change when a safe alternative is available in stock. This risks patients either delaying vital medication or forgoing it entirely, creating clear threats to patient safety."
Specialist Organisations Support Reform
Fiona Loud, Policy Director at Kidney Care UK, highlighted the particular risks for patients with chronic kidney disease. "Cardiovascular diseases are closely linked to CKD, so many people in early stages are prescribed low-dose aspirin to reduce stroke and heart attack risks," she explained. "This medication requires supervision due to potential bleeding risks, making consistent supply crucial."
Loud supported calls for pharmacist substitution powers, noting precedents established during Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic when similar protocols were implemented. "Where medicine shortages affect commonly prescribed items like aspirin, pharmacists should have leeway to substitute medications," she argued. "Clear communication about any changes and opportunities for patient questions must accompany such measures."
Broader Systemic Issues
The aspirin shortage has exposed deeper systemic problems within the UK's pharmacy sector. The NPA has repeatedly urged government to overhaul what they describe as a broken pharmacy contract that routinely forces pharmacists to dispense NHS prescriptions at a financial loss.
As the situation continues to develop, healthcare professionals warn that without immediate intervention, patient safety could be seriously compromised. The UK Health Security Agency has been approached for comment regarding the escalating medication supply crisis.
