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Search your exact medicine
The fastest way to use MediWatch is to search the medicine name, then check the exact strength or formulation before calling pharmacies or your prescriber.
Currently in shortage (UK, May 2026)
| Medicine | Reference | Status | Expected back |
|---|---|---|---|
| Co-codamol 30mg/500mg tablets | MSN/2026/001 | Tier 3 | Date not yet set by DHSC |
| Diamorphine 5mg, 10mg, 100mg injection | MSN/2025/071 | Tier 3 | Date not yet set by DHSC |
| Genotropin (somatropin) 5.3mg / 12mg injection | MSN/2025/072 | Tier 2 | Date not yet set by DHSC |
| Co-trimoxazole oral suspension | MSN/2026/016 | Tier 2 | Date not yet set by DHSC |
| Propranolol 80mg + 160mg MR capsules → Related medicines |
MSN/2025/059 | Tier 2 | July 2026 |
| Ramipril 1.25mg capsules → Related medicines |
SSP087 | SSP (extended) | Extended past 29 May 2026 |
| Estradot 25 / 50 / 75 / 100 mcg patches | SSP079, 080, 081, 082 | SSP × 4 | 10 July 2026 |
| Creon 10000 gastro-resistant capsules | SSP060 | SSP (further extended) | 10 July 2026 |
| Creon 25000 gastro-resistant capsules | SSP061 | SSP (further extended) | 10 July 2026 |
→ See recently back-in-stock medicines (last 60 days)
Browse by condition
Each condition hub aggregates every medicine in that area — both currently affected and historically affected — with the clinical context behind the supply position.
ADHD medication
HRT
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Contraception
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A–Z of indexed medicine pages
Direct links to every medicine that currently has a dedicated MediWatch page with live shortage status, related medicines and patient guidance.
Co-codamol
Co-trimoxazole
Creon 10000
Creon 25000
Diamorphine
Estradot
Genotropin
Propranolol
Ramipril
How we know what's in shortage
Two official UK feeds drive everything on this page:
- Community Pharmacy England (CPE) Medicine Supply Notifications — the live list of DHSC MSNs in force, with tier (1–4), affected formulations, expected resolution dates and clinical advice (CPE — MSN list).
- CPE Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) register — DHSC SSPs issued under regulations 226A and 226B of the Human Medicines Regulations 2012, which allow a community pharmacy to dispense a different strength, quantity, formulation or related medicine without a new prescription (CPE — SSP register).
We cross-reference both against the NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service supply-of-medicines pages (the clinical guidance behind each notification) and NHS Business Services Authority publications. A shortage moves off this hub only when CPE removes the corresponding notification — not when a manufacturer says supply will return or a pharmacy chain reports improvement.
What to do if your medicine is on this list
- Speak to your GP, pharmacist or specialist team before stopping or switching anything.
- Open the individual medicine page above — it has the current status, the official DHSC notice, and a dedicated "related medicines" page where applicable.
- If an SSP is in force, your pharmacy may be able to dispense a different strength, quantity or related medicine without a new prescription. Ask them directly.
- Order your repeat prescription early — don't wait until the day you run out.
- If you feel unwell going without your medicine, contact your GP or call NHS 111. Use 999 for emergencies.
- Search MediWatch free for the specific medicines you take.
Frequently asked questions
How many medicines are currently in shortage in the UK?
As of 28 May 2026, 12 medicines are under an active DHSC Medicine Supply Notification (MSN) or Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP). The number changes week to week as new notifications are issued and older ones expire. This tracker updates daily from the CPE and NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service feeds.
Where does this UK shortage list come from?
Every shortage on this page comes directly from the CPE Medicine Supply Notification list and Serious Shortage Protocol register — the same DHSC feeds your pharmacy uses. We cross-reference each entry with NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service clinical guidance.
What is the difference between an MSN and an SSP?
A Medicine Supply Notification (MSN) is the DHSC's official notice that a medicine is in shortage, with a tier (1–4) indicating clinical impact. A Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) is a separate legal tool — it lets a pharmacy supply a different strength, quantity, formulation or related medicine without the prescriber having to issue a new prescription. Both are issued by DHSC and published by CPE.
How do I find out when my specific medicine is back in stock?
Open the individual medicine page from the list above — each shows the current DHSC expected resolution date plus a "related medicines" page where appropriate. You can also search MediWatch free to be notified the moment your medicine's shortage is resolved or extended.
Is a medicine still in shortage if it is missing from this list?
If a medicine is not on this list, there is no active national DHSC shortage notification or SSP for it as of today. Pharmacies may still have local short-term stock gaps because of delivery schedules, wholesaler stock or local demand — always check with your pharmacist.
Is the UK drug shortage tracker the same as the NHS one?
The NHS does not publish a single patient-facing tracker — the official feed is the CPE Medicine Supply Notification list, which is written for pharmacists. MediWatch reads that same feed daily and re-presents it in patient-readable form, with related-medicine guidance and dedicated pages per drug.
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Search shortages free →Page last updated: 28 May 2026. This page is information, not medical advice — always speak to your GP, pharmacist or specialist team about your own medicines.