Most Commonly Shorted Medicines in the UK

Currently Active UK Medicine Shortages (Verified 21 July 2026)

These medicines have a live DHSC Medicine Supply Notification or NHSBSA Serious Shortage Protocol against them today. Six are brand new since our last review in mid-June.

Historically the Most Shorted — But Resolved Right Now

These medicines account for the largest number of tracked shortage events in MediWatch's database since 2024, which is why they still dominate search results and older "most shorted" lists. As of 21 July 2026, none of them have an active official row — check the linked medicine page before assuming an old shortage is still current.

Searched Constantly, But No Official Shortage on Record

Candesartan is one of the most-searched shortage terms landing on this page, yet it has never had a DHSC Medicine Supply Notification or NHSBSA Serious Shortage Protocol logged against it in MediWatch's tracking history. The same is true of valsartan and Entresto (sacubitril/valsartan). If your pharmacy is out of one of these, it's very likely a local wholesaler or branch-stock issue rather than a national shortage — check the live candesartan page, try a second pharmacy, and ask your pharmacist to order it in; there is no need to contact your GP for an alternative brand.

Patterns and Trends

ADHD and Mental Health Medicines Dominated 2024–2025, Not Today

ADHD stimulants and mental health medicines (quetiapine, fluoxetine) generated more logged shortage events than any other category between 2024 and early 2026 — the legacy of a rapid rise in prescriptions meeting controlled-substance production limits and thin generic-manufacturer margins. That cluster has since resolved: as of 21 July 2026, MediWatch's live data shows no active DHSC or NHSBSA row for methylphenidate, lisdexamfetamine (Elvanse), quetiapine, or fluoxetine. Check current ADHD status → · Check current mental health medicine status →

Today's Active List Skews Cardiovascular, HRT and Epilepsy

The medicines with a live shortage row right now are concentrated in HRT (Estradot patches), heart-rhythm drugs (disopyramide, propafenone), epilepsy medicines (sodium valproate, oxcarbazepine), and pancreatic enzyme replacement (Creon) — plus a Ramipril SSP that has run since April 2026 and is due to lapse around 24 July 2026.

Liquid and Modified-Release Formulations Are Disproportionately Affected

Liquid/suspension and modified-release (MR/XL) formulations appear more often than standard tablets or capsules across MediWatch's tracked history. These have shorter shelf lives, fewer manufacturers, and are more complex to produce — Propranolol MR, Sodium valproate granules, and the discontinued Genotropin reusable pen device are current examples.

New Notifications Keep Arriving Even Without a Headline Crisis

Six new DHSC Medicine Supply Notifications were issued in the four weeks before this update (disopyramide, propafenone, sodium valproate, oxcarbazepine, latanoprost/timolol, nabilone) — a reminder that individual medicines can enter shortage at any time even while overall totals look stable. Sign up for alerts on your specific medicine rather than relying on headline totals.

HRT Remains the Longest-Running Active Category

Four Estradot patch strengths have had an active Serious Shortage Protocol running continuously since December 2024, most recently extended to October 2026. This is the single longest-running active shortage MediWatch currently tracks. Latest HRT updates →

Why Some Medicines Are More Vulnerable

Medicines most prone to shortages tend to share certain characteristics:

• Few manufacturers: Products made by only 1-2 companies have no backup if one has problems
• Low profit margins: Generic medicines with thin margins are less attractive for companies to produce, so fewer bother
• Complex manufacturing: Liquid formulations, patches, and injectable medicines are harder to make
• Controlled substances: Production quotas limit how much can be manufactured
• Single-source API: If the active ingredient comes from one factory, that's a single point of failure
• Short shelf life: Products that expire quickly can't be stockpiled

What You Can Do

If you take any medicine on this list:

• Sign up for MediWatch alerts for your specific medicine
• Don't wait until you're on your last day's supply to reorder
• Discuss backup plans with your GP in advance
• Know which alternatives exist for your medication
• Consider using a pharmacy with reliable supply for your particular medicine

Related

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