Medicine Shortage UK 2026 — Complete List

Lansoprazole 30mg orodispersible tablets

An NHS Serious Shortage Protocol is in place until 15 January 2027.

Under this protocol, if your prescription is for more than one month's supply, your pharmacist may give you one month's supply, if you agree. The rest of that prescription can't be supplied later, so ask your prescriber or GP practice for your next prescription in good time. No prescription charge applies to NHS prescriptions supplied this way.

From the official notice: NHSBSA SSP089, issued 09 September 2026.

Protocol in place until: 15 January 2027

Lansoprazole 15mg orodispersible tablets

An NHS Serious Shortage Protocol is in place until 15 January 2027.

Under this protocol, if your prescription is for more than one month's supply, your pharmacist may give you one month's supply, if you agree. The rest of that prescription can't be supplied later, so ask your prescriber or GP practice for your next prescription in good time. No prescription charge applies to NHS prescriptions supplied this way.

From the official notice: NHSBSA SSP088, issued 09 September 2026.

Protocol in place until: 15 January 2027

Estradot® 25 microgram patches

An NHS Serious Shortage Protocol is in place until 08 January 2027.

Under this protocol, your pharmacist may give you Evorel® or Estraderm® MX patches of the same strength instead of Estradot®, one for one and for the full amount prescribed, if you agree. It applies to people aged 18 and over, and your prescriber or GP practice is told. Your pharmacist will tell you what to look out for, such as breakthrough bleeding, skin irritation or patches not sticking; if side effects carry on, speak to your prescriber.

From the official notice: NHSBSA SSP082, issued 03 April 2025.

Protocol in place until: 08 January 2027

Estradot® 100 microgram patches

An NHS Serious Shortage Protocol is in place until 08 January 2027.

Under this protocol, your pharmacist may give you Evorel® or Estraderm® MX patches of the same strength instead of Estradot®, one for one and for the full amount prescribed, if you agree. It applies to people aged 18 and over, and your prescriber or GP practice is told. Your pharmacist will tell you what to look out for, such as breakthrough bleeding, skin irritation or patches not sticking; if side effects carry on, speak to your prescriber.

From the official notice: NHSBSA SSP081, issued 19 December 2024.

Protocol in place until: 08 January 2027

Estradot® 75 microgram patches

An NHS Serious Shortage Protocol is in place until 08 January 2027.

Under this protocol, your pharmacist may give you Evorel® or Estraderm® MX patches of the same strength instead of Estradot®, one for one and for the full amount prescribed, if you agree. It applies to people aged 18 and over, and your prescriber or GP practice is told. Your pharmacist will tell you what to look out for, such as breakthrough bleeding, skin irritation or patches not sticking; if side effects carry on, speak to your prescriber.

From the official notice: NHSBSA SSP080, issued 19 December 2024.

Protocol in place until: 08 January 2027

Estradot® 50 microgram patches

An NHS Serious Shortage Protocol is in place until 08 January 2027.

Under this protocol, your pharmacist may give you Evorel® or Estraderm® MX patches of the same strength instead of Estradot®, one for one and for the full amount prescribed, if you agree. It applies to people aged 18 and over, and your prescriber or GP practice is told. Your pharmacist will tell you what to look out for, such as breakthrough bleeding, skin irritation or patches not sticking; if side effects carry on, speak to your prescriber.

From the official notice: NHSBSA SSP079, issued 19 December 2024.

Protocol in place until: 08 January 2027

Creon® 25000 capsules

An NHS Serious Shortage Protocol is in place until 08 January 2027.

Under this protocol, if your prescription is for more than one month's supply, your pharmacist may give you one month's supply, if you agree. The rest of that prescription can't be supplied later, so ask your prescriber or GP practice for your next prescription in good time.

From the official notice: NHSBSA SSP061, issued 24 May 2024.

Protocol in place until: 08 January 2027

Fixapost®, Vizilatan Duo®, Eysano® preservative free eye drops

The details differ by product, strength or date. Check yours in the official wording below.

• Latanoprost 50micrograms/ml / Timolol [0.5%] 5mg/ml (Fixapost®) preservative free eye drops, 0.2ml unit dose, are out of stock until late November 2026.
• Latanoprost 50micrograms/ml / Timolol [0.5%] 5mg/ml (Vizilatan Duo®) preservative free eye drops are out of stock until March 2027.

From the official notice: DHSC MSN/2026/054, issued 11 November 2026.

Phenytoin 100mg tablets (Teva)

Out of stock until late November 2026.

• Phenytoin 100mg tablets (Teva) are out of stock until late November 2026
• Phenytoin 100mg tablets (Aurobindo Pharma – Milpharm Ltd) remain available and can support an uplift in demand. In plain English: There's enough stock if people are switched to it.

⚠️ Resolution estimate needs recheck — supply status is not confirmed. Check with your pharmacist.

From the official notice: DHSC MSN/2026/053, issued 10 November 2026.

Cilostazol 50mg and 100mg tablets

Out of stock until late November 2026.

• Cilostazol 50mg and 100mg tablets are out of stock until late November 2026.
• Naftidrofuryl 100mg capsules remain available and can support increased demand. In plain English: There's enough stock if people are switched to it.
• Other licensed treatments for intermittent claudication remain available.

⚠️ Resolution estimate needs recheck — supply status is not confirmed. Check with your pharmacist.

From the official notice: DHSC MSN/2026/050, issued 19 October 2026.

FemSeven Conti® (estradiol 50micrograms and levonorgestrel 7micrograms/24hours) transdermal patches

Out of stock until late-November 2026.

• FemSeven Conti® (estradiol 50micrograms and levonorgestrel 7micrograms/24hours) transdermal patches are out of stock until late-November 2026.
• The following 24-hour transdermal patches remain available and can support increased demand: In plain English: There's enough stock if people are switched to it.
• Evorel Conti® (estradiol 50micrograms/norethisterone 170micrograms)
• Estradot Conti® 30/95 (estradiol 30micrograms/norethisterone 95micrograms)
• Estradot Conti® 40/130 (estradiol 40micrograms/norethisterone130micrograms)
• Alternative hormone replacement therapy (HRT) products remain available.

⚠️ Resolution estimate needs recheck — supply status is not confirmed. Check with your pharmacist.

From the official notice: DHSC MSN/2026/048, issued 12 October 2026.

Aztreonam 1g and 2g powder for solution for injection vials

The details differ by product, strength or date. Check yours in the official wording below.

• Aztreonam 2g powder for solution for injection vials are currently out of stock with a resupply date to be confirmed. In plain English: There is no date yet for new stock.
• Aztreonam 1g powder for solution for injection vials will be out of stock from end of June 2026 with a resupply date to be confirmed. In plain English: There is no date yet for new stock.
• Alternative anti-microbials remain available.

From the official notice: DHSC MSN/2025/025, issued 11/06/2026.

Lacidipine 2mg and 4mg tablets

Out of stock.

• Lercanidipine 10mg and 20mg tablets remain available and can support increased demand In plain English: There's enough stock if people are switched to it.
• Amlodipine 2.5mg, 5mg, and 10mg tablets remain available and can support increased demand In plain English: There's enough stock if people are switched to it.
• Felodipine 2.5mg, 5mg, and 10mg modified release (MR) tablets remain available and can support increased demand In plain English: There's enough stock if people are switched to it.
• Nifedipine MR tablets remain available but cannot support an uplift in demand In plain English: There isn't extra stock for people switching to it.

⚠️ Resolution estimate needs recheck — supply status is not confirmed. Check with your pharmacist.

From the official notice: DHSC MSN/2026/046, issued 6 October 2026.

Lansoprazole 15mg and 30mg orodispersible tablets

In limited supply until early January 2027.

• Lansoprazole 15mg and 30mg orodispersible tablets are in limited supply until early January 2027.
• Lansoprazole 15mg and 30mg gastro-resistant capsules remain available and can support increased demand. In plain English: There's enough stock if people are switched to it.
• Alternative proton pump inhibitors remain available.
• Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) for lansoprazole 15mg and 30mg orodispersible tablets were issued on 9 September 2026 which allows community pharmacists to limit supply to one month.

From the official notice: DHSC MSN/2026/044, issued 7 September 2026.

Venlafaxine 75mg immediate-release tablets

Out of stock until November 2026.

• Venlafaxine 75mg immediate release (IR) tablets are out of stock until November 2026
• Venlafaxine 150mg modified release (MR) capsules remain available and can support increased demand. In plain English: There's enough stock if people are switched to it.
• Venlafaxine 37.5mg and 75mg MR capsules remain available and can support a partial uplift in demand. In plain English: There's some extra stock, but not enough if everyone is switched to it.
• Venlafaxine 75mg MR tablets remain available and can support a partial uplift in demand. In plain English: There's some extra stock, but not enough if everyone is switched to it.
• Venlafaxine 37.5mg IR tablets remain available but cannot support an uplift in demand. In plain English: There isn't extra stock for people switching to it.

⚠️ Resolution estimate needs recheck — supply status is not confirmed. Check with your pharmacist.

From the official notice: DHSC MSN/2026/040, issued 26 August 2026.

Moviprep® and Plenvu® oral powder sachets

• Moviprep® oral powder sachets are in limited supply until January 2027.
• Plenvu® oral powder sachets remain available, although intermittent delays in deliveries may be experienced until January 2027.
• Alternative bowel preparations remain available, although their ability to support increased demand is limited.

From the official notice: DHSC MSN/2026/037, issued 25 August 2026.

Expected resolution: January 2027

Voltarol® Ophtha and Voltarol® Ophtha Multidose eye drops

The details differ by product, strength or date. Check yours in the official wording below.

• Diclofenac (Voltarol® Ophtha) 0.1% eye drops 0.3ml unit dose preservative-free is out of stock until mid-January 2027.
• Diclofenac (Voltarol® Ophtha Multidose) 0.1% eye drops will be discontinued by the end of October 2026 and cannot support any increased demand. In plain English: There isn't extra stock for people switching to it.
• Ketorolac 0.5% eye drops, bromfenac 0.9mg/ml eye drops, and nepafenac (Nevanac®) 1mg/ml eye drops remain available and can support increased demand (all contain the preservative benzalkonium chloride). In plain English: There's enough stock if people are switched to it.

From the official notice: DHSC MSN/2026/034, issued 30 July 2026.

Nifedipine 10mg, 20mg, 30mg and 60mg modified-release tablets

The details differ by product, strength or date. Check yours in the official wording below.

• Tensipine® MR 10 and 20 tablets will be out of stock from early August 2026 and early October 2026 respectively.
• The resupply dates for both strengths are to be confirmed.
• Dexipress® MR 20mg tablets are currently out of stock until November 2026.
• Adalat® LA 30 tablets are out of stock from late July 2026 until late November 2026.
• Adanif® XL 30mg and 60mg tablets have been discontinued.

⚠️ Resolution estimate needs recheck — supply status is not confirmed. Check with your pharmacist.

From the official notice: DHSC MSN/2026/033, issued 23 July 2026.

Latanoprost 50micrograms/ml / Timolol 5mg/ml (Fixapost®) eye drops 0.2ml unit dose preservative free

The details differ by product, strength or date. Check yours in the official wording below.

• Latanoprost 50micrograms/ml / Timolol [0.5%] 5mg/ml (Fixapost®) preservative free eye drops, 0.2ml unit dose, are out of stock until January 2027.
• Latanoprost 50micrograms/ml / Timolol [0.5%] 5mg/ml (Vizilatan Duo®) preservative free eye drops remain available but cannot support increased demand. In plain English: There isn't extra stock for people switching to it.
• Latanoprost 50micrograms/ml / Timolol 5mg/ml eye drops (containing preservatives) remain available.
• Timolol (Eysano®) 5mg/ml [0.5%] preservative free eye drops remain available but cannot support increased demand. In plain English: There isn't extra stock for people switching to it.

⚠️ Resolution estimate needs recheck — supply status is not confirmed. Check with your pharmacist.

From the official notice: DHSC MSN/2026/031, issued 9 July 2026.

Sodium valproate (Epilim Chronosphere® ) 50mg, 250mg, and 500mg modified-release granules sachets sugar free

The details differ by product, strength or date. Check yours in the official wording below.

• Sodium valproate (Epilim Chronosphere®) 250mg modified-release granules sachets sugar free will be out of stock from early July 2026 until early January 2027.
• Sodium valproate (Epilim Chronosphere®) 100mg modified-release granules sachets sugar free remains available but cannot support an uplift in demand. In plain English: There isn't extra stock for people switching to it.
• Sodium valproate (Epilim®) 200mg/5ml syrup remain available but cannot support an uplift in demand. In plain English: There isn't extra stock for people switching to it.

⚠️ Resolution estimate needs recheck — supply status is not confirmed. Check with your pharmacist.

From the official notice: DHSC MSN/2026/030, issued 07 July 2026.

Disopyramide (Rythmodan® ) 100mg capsules and disopyramide (Rythmodan Retard® ) 250mg modified-release tablets

The details differ by product, strength or date. Check yours in the official wording below.

• Disopyramide (Rythmodan®) 100mg capsules will be in out of stock from late June 2026 until early April 2027.
• Parallel imports of disopyramide 250mg MR tablets and disopyramide 100mg capsules are in limited supply and cannot support an uplift in demand. In plain English: There isn't extra stock for people switching to it.
• Unlicensed imports of disopyramide 100mg capsules and disopyramide 250mg MR tablets have been sourced, lead times vary (see supporting information).
• Unlicensed specials of disopyramide 25mg/5ml and 50mg/5ml oral suspension are available, lead times vary (see supporting information).

⚠️ Resolution estimate needs recheck — supply status is not confirmed. Check with your pharmacist.

From the official notice: DHSC MSN/2026/028, issued 22 June 2026.

Tolterodine 2mg and 4mg modified-release capsules

• Tolterodine 1mg and 2mg immediate release (IR) tablets remain available and can support increased demand. In plain English: There's enough stock if people are switched to it.
• Alternative once-daily antimuscarinics also remain available and can support increased demand. In plain English: There's enough stock if people are switched to it.
• Unlicensed imports of tolterodine MR capsules may be sourced; lead times vary.

⚠️ Resolution estimate needs recheck — supply status is not confirmed. Check with your pharmacist.

From the official notice: DHSC MSN/2025/031, issued 20th May 2025.

NovoRapid® PumpCart® (insulin aspart) 100units/ml solution for injection 1.6ml cartridges

In limited supply until 2027.

• NovoRapid® PumpCart® (insulin aspart) 100units/ml solution for injection 1.6ml cartridges are in limited supply until 2027 and cannot support new patient initiations. In plain English: There isn't enough for new patients to start on it.
• Alternative insulin aspart products including NovoRapid® vials remain available and can support increased demand (see Supporting information). In plain English: There's enough stock if people are switched to it.
• The mylife YpsoPump® Reservoir, which can be self-filled with NovoRapid® vials, remains available and can support increased demand. In plain English: There's enough stock if people are switched to it.

From the official notice: DHSC MSN/2025/034, issued 4th June 2025.

⚠️ Resolution estimate needs recheck — supply status is not confirmed. Check with your pharmacist.

Abidec® Multivitamin drops

Out of stock until further notice.

• Abidec® Multivitamin drops are out of stock until further notice
• Dalivit® oral drops remain available but can only support prescription demand.
• Alternative multivitamin drops remain available (see Supporting information).

From the official notice: DHSC MSN/2025/044, issued 16/07/2025.

Dalivit® Oral Drops

Out of stock until further notice.

• Dalivit® Oral Drops are out of stock until further notice.
• Abidec® Multivitamin Drops remain available and can support increased demand. In plain English: There's enough stock if people are switched to it.

From the official notice: DHSC MSN/2025/055, issued 15/10/2025.

Nifedipine (Fortipine® LA) 40mg modified-release tablets

Out of stock.

• Nifedipine (Fortipine® LA) 40mg modified-release tablets are currently out of stock.
• The resupply date is yet to be confirmed. In plain English: There is no date yet for new stock.
• Other brands of nifedipine 20mg modified-release tablets remain available and can support increased demand. In plain English: There's enough stock if people are switched to it.
• Nifedipine (Coracten® SR) 20mg modified-release capsules remain available and can support increased demand. In plain English: There's enough stock if people are switched to it.

From the official notice: DHSC MSN/2025/064, issued 8th December 2025.

Genotropin® (somatropin) 5.3 mg and 12 mg powder and solvent for solution for injection

• The reusable Pen device for Genotropin® (somatropin) 5.3 mg and 12 mg powder and solvent for solution for injection will be out of stock from the end of January 2026 until at least early 2027.
• Each reusable Pen has a battery life of approximately two years.
• Patients whose battery life expires during the out-of-stock period will need to be switched to an alternative device.
• Homecare patients currently using this pen device will be reviewed by their homecare provider to determine whether a switch is required during the shortage, and will continue to receive supplies from their homecare provider as appropriate.
• New patients should not be initiated on the Genotropin® Pen device, and new homecare referrals will not be accepted until the supply issue has resolved.
• Only the reuseable pen device is affected.

From the official notice: DHSC MSN/2025/072, issued 23 December 2025.

Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT)

The details differ by product, strength or date. Check yours in the official wording below.

• Creon® 10,000 and 25,000 capsules remain in limited supply until 2026.
• Nutrizym® 22 capsules and Pancrex V® capsules and powder are intermittently available but are unable to fully cover the gap in supply.

From the official notice: Patient safety alert.

Quetiapine 50mg, 150mg, 200mg, 300mg and 400mg modified-release tablets

Affected by supply constraints.

• There are supply constraints affecting quetiapine 50mg, 150mg, 200mg, 300mg and 400mg modified-release tablets (see supply summary table in Supporting information).
• Quetiapine immediate release tablets remain available and can support the increased demand. In plain English: There's enough stock if people are switched to it.
• Where these are not suitable, unlicensed supplies of quetiapine modified-release tablets may be sourced, lead times vary.

From the official notice: DHSC MSN/2025/006, issued 10th February 2025.

Diamorphine 5mg, 10mg and 100mg powder for solution for injection ampoules

The details differ by product, strength or date. Check yours in the official wording below.

• Diamorphine 5 mg and 10 mg powder for solution for injection ampoules are currently out of stock, with no confirmed resupply date. In plain English: There is no date yet for new stock.
• Diamorphine 100 mg powder for solution for injection ampoules are expected to become unavailable from early January, with no currently confirmed resupply date. In plain English: There is no date yet for new stock.
• Diamorphine 30mg powder for solution for injection ampoules are currently available but are unable to support any increase in demand. In plain English: There isn't extra stock for people switching to it.
• Morphine sulfate injection has been identified by clinical experts as the first-line alternative opioid.
• Sufficient supplies of morphine sulfate 10mg/ml injection are available from Ethypharm and Hameln to cover the supply gap.

From the official notice: DHSC MSN/2025/071, issued 23 December 2025.