Medicine Shortages UK October 2026 — Monthly Update and Full List

Current State: 31 Active Shortages in the UK

The count rose from 24 in July to 31 now. Most of the rise came from late summer, when DHSC issued notices for venlafaxine 75mg tablets, nifedipine modified-release tablets, ramipril capsules, lansoprazole orodispersible tablets and Moviprep. Our August and September archives list those month by month.

The active list now leans towards blood pressure and heart medicines (ramipril, nifedipine, lacidipine, cilostazol, disopyramide), HRT (Estradot, FemSeven Conti) and stomach and bowel medicines (lansoprazole orodispersible tablets, Moviprep). DHSC MSNs tell pharmacists and prescribers about a supply problem and what can cover it. NHSBSA SSPs go further: they let a pharmacist change what is supplied (a different product, or a smaller quantity) without a new prescription. All 8 active SSPs are on the NHSBSA Serious Shortage Protocols table, and every row is on MediWatch's live shortage tracker.

New Shortages in October 2026

Three new DHSC Medicine Supply Notifications were issued between 1 and 27 October 2026:

Lacidipine 2mg and 4mg Tablets MSN/2026/046 — 6 Oct 2026

Lacidipine, a calcium-channel blocker for high blood pressure, is out of stock in both strengths until early November 2026. The notice says lercanidipine 10mg and 20mg, amlodipine 2.5mg, 5mg and 10mg, and felodipine modified-release tablets can all cover extra demand. Nifedipine modified-release tablets can't, because they have their own supply notice. Any switch is your prescriber's decision.

FemSeven Conti HRT Patches MSN/2026/048 — 12 Oct 2026

FemSeven Conti (estradiol 50 micrograms and levonorgestrel 7 micrograms per 24 hours) is out of stock until late November 2026. According to the notice, Evorel Conti and Estradot Conti 30/95 and 40/130 patches can cover extra demand, and other HRT products remain available. Speak to your GP or menopause clinic about a switch before your last patch.

Cilostazol 50mg and 100mg Tablets MSN/2026/050 — 19 Oct 2026

Cilostazol, used for leg pain caused by narrowed arteries (intermittent claudication), is out of stock until late November 2026. Naftidrofuryl 100mg capsules can cover extra demand, and other licensed treatments for the condition remain available.

SSP Changes: Extended, Ending, Ended

The NHSBSA Serious Shortage Protocols table, checked on 27 October 2026, shows these changes:

• Extended to 8 January 2027: Estradot 25, 50, 75 and 100 microgram patches (SSP082, SSP079, SSP080, SSP081) and Creon 25000 capsules (SSP061). All five were amended on 2 October 2026.
• Ended 30 October 2026, not extended: SSP087, ramipril 1.25mg capsules (see below; updated 1 November 2026).
• Ran to its end date on 2 October 2026: SSP060, Creon 10000 capsules. The national patient safety alert on pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy is still in force, so Creon supply is still under watch.
• Still running: SSP088 and SSP089, lansoprazole 15mg and 30mg orodispersible tablets, 9 September 2026 to 15 January 2027.

Ramipril: SSP087 Ended 30 October 2026

Ramipril is the most-searched shortage on MediWatch, so here is where it stands (updated 1 November 2026, after SSP087's end date):

• SSP087 (ramipril 1.25mg capsules) ran from 22 April to 30 October 2026 (NHSBSA amended it on 23 July 2026) and ended at 23:59 on 30 October without an extension (Community Pharmacy England). While it ran, it let a pharmacist limit a prescription for more than a month's supply to one month's worth; it never authorised a switch to another medicine. Prescriptions for 1.25mg capsules are now dispensed as written.
• MSN/2026/043 (7 September 2026) said ramipril 1.25mg, 2.5mg, 5mg and 10mg capsules were in limited supply until the end of October 2026. That date has passed with no DHSC update (checked 1 November 2026). Ramipril tablets in the same strengths remain available, but can't cover extra demand. DHSC advises against routine switching to other ACE inhibitors or ARBs, because they are used far less and their supply could be stretched.

Neither notice says supply is back, so ramipril capsule supply is not confirmed back. If DHSC or NHSBSA issues a new notice or protocol, we'll show it on the ramipril status page the same day. For context on why ramipril keeps running short, see our ramipril shortage explainer and the ramipril alternatives page.

HRT Medicines in October 2026

HRT is still the longest-running shortage category MediWatch tracks. The four Estradot patch SSPs have been active since December 2024 (25 microgram: April 2025) and now run to 8 January 2027. FemSeven Conti joined the list on 12 October (above). Our HRT shortage page shows every product's status, including those with no active notice.

Venlafaxine and Mental Health Medicines

Venlafaxine 75mg immediate-release tablets are out of stock until November 2026 (MSN/2026/040, 26 August 2026). The notice says venlafaxine 150mg modified-release capsules can cover extra demand, and the 37.5mg and 75mg modified-release capsules and 75mg modified-release tablets can cover part of it. Modified-release and immediate-release venlafaxine are taken differently, so a switch needs your prescriber. Quetiapine modified-release tablets also still carry an active notice (MSN/2025/006). Never stop an antidepressant or antipsychotic suddenly. See the mental health medication shortage page for the full picture.

Still Active From Earlier Months

• Nifedipine modified-release tablets (MSN/2026/033, 23 July 2026): several brands are out of stock or discontinued, but other brands and Coracten capsules can cover extra demand. Fortipine LA 40mg also has its own notice (MSN/2025/064).
• Moviprep bowel preparation (MSN/2026/037, 25 August 2026): limited supply until January 2027. Plenvu deliveries may be delayed until then.
• Voltarol Ophtha eye drops (MSN/2026/034, 30 July 2026): the preservative-free unit doses are out of stock until mid-January 2027, and the Multidose bottle is being discontinued by the end of October 2026.
• Sodium valproate (Epilim Chronosphere) granules (MSN/2026/030), disopyramide (Rythmodan) (MSN/2026/028) and Fixapost eye drops (MSN/2026/031) are all still active from June and July.
• NovoRapid PumpCart cartridges (MSN/2025/034) remain in limited supply and can't support new patients starting on them.

Expected Dates That Have Passed

When a notice's expected resupply date passes and no update is published, MediWatch takes it off the active list. That is not confirmation that the medicine is back in stock. Ask your pharmacy. These left the active list in October for that reason:

• Edoxaban (Lixiana) 15mg tablets, MSN/2026/042: expected back mid-September 2026.
• Methylprednisolone (Medrone) 100mg tablets, MSN/2026/041: expected back in the week of 5 October 2026.
• Fentanyl (Effentora) buccal tablets, MSN/2025/025.

Propranolol 80mg and 160mg modified-release capsules (MSN/2025/059) left the active list on 1 August on the same basis. The propranolol page has the latest.

ADHD Medicines and GLP-1s

MediWatch's tracker shows no active DHSC or NHSBSA shortage row for Elvanse (lisdexamfetamine), methylphenidate or atomoxetine as of 27 October 2026, and none for Ozempic, Wegovy or Mounjaro. Local stock can still vary, and ADHD medicines are controlled drugs, so leave time for reorders. The ADHD medication page tracks any change.

What to Do If Your Medicine Is in Shortage

• Check your medicine on MediWatch: search by name here. You'll see whether an MSN or SSP is active and what the notice says can cover it
• Contact your pharmacy before you run out. Aim to reorder with at least 2 weeks' supply left
• If an SSP is active, ask your pharmacist what it allows. Some SSPs allow a different product. Others, like the ramipril and lansoprazole SSPs, limit how much can be supplied at once
• If no SSP is active and your pharmacy can't get stock, contact your GP or prescriber. Don't wait until you've run out
• Try more than one pharmacy. Stock is unevenly spread
• Don't stop taking your medicine without medical advice. Stopping some medicines suddenly, especially blood pressure medicines, antidepressants and epilepsy medicines, can be dangerous
• Get free MediWatch alerts so you hear when your medicine's status changes

Related Shortage Pages

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