Is there a Movicol shortage?
MediWatch checks the official UK shortage lists every day: the Department of Health and Social Care's medicine supply notifications, which Community Pharmacy England publishes, and the Serious Shortage Protocols that NHSBSA publishes. The status at the top of this page comes from that data each time the page loads. If a notice for Movicol or another macrogol product appears, the status changes to show it.
On 27 October 2026 there was no shortage notice for Movicol, and none for macrogol in general. A pharmacy can still be short for a few days because of its own deliveries. That's a local gap, not a national shortage, so it's worth phoning another pharmacy.
Movicol batch recalls in 2026
The medicines regulator, the MHRA, published two Class 3 recalls of specific Movicol batches in 2026. Both were precautionary and were done through pharmacies and wholesalers, not patients. In each case MHRA said patients don't need to do anything and can keep taking the medicine from those batches.
- 5 October 2026: Movicol Plain 13.7g powder for oral solution (MHRA EL(26)A/41). Batches 487069 and 474919 were recalled because some units contained incorrect amounts of the active ingredients. MHRA recall notice
- 17 February 2026: Movicol Ease Citrus powder for oral solution 13.7g (MHRA EL(26)A/08). Batch 454699 was recalled because some units contained low amounts of the active ingredients. MHRA recall notice
A recall takes the named batches off pharmacy shelves, so some pharmacies may have had less of those packs for a while. A recall is not a shortage notice, and MHRA did not say there was a shortage. If you have side effects or questions about your medicine, speak to your pharmacist or GP, and report suspected side effects through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme.
If your pharmacy can't supply Movicol
- Ask when it expects more. A pharmacy can often order a medicine for the next working day, even when it has none today.
- Phone other pharmacies. Pharmacies get their stock from different wholesalers. The MediWatch stock checker lists the NHS-registered pharmacies nearest your postcode to call. We can't see their stock, so phone before you go.
- Ask before changing product. Your pharmacist can tell you what they can supply. Don't change to a different laxative or dose on your own, and ask your prescriber about anything that was prescribed.
- For a child, speak to the prescriber. The NHS says children aged 2 to 11 can only have macrogol if it's prescribed.
- Run out of a prescribed medicine? See how to get an emergency supply.
Not medical advice. MediWatch reports official UK medicine supply data; it is not a substitute for advice from a pharmacist, GP or prescriber. If you are unwell, contact NHS 111, or call 999 in an emergency.
Moviprep and Plenvu are not Movicol
Moviprep® and Plenvu® are bowel preparations, used to empty the bowel before a test such as a colonoscopy. They are different medicines from Movicol, and they have their own supply notice. See the digestive medicine shortages page for its current status.
Questions people ask
Is Movicol out of stock in the UK?
The status at the top of this page shows whether an official shortage notice covers Movicol today. On 27 October 2026 there was none. Single pharmacies can still run out for a few days, so phone ahead.
Why was Movicol recalled?
MHRA published two precautionary Class 3 recalls of specific batches in 2026. In October, Movicol Plain batches 487069 and 474919 were recalled because some units had incorrect amounts of the active ingredients. In February, Movicol Ease Citrus batch 454699 was recalled because some units had low amounts of them.
Do I need to stop taking Movicol from a recalled batch?
MHRA said patients do not need to take any action, and can keep taking Movicol from those batches, because the recalls were done through pharmacies and wholesalers. If you have side effects or questions, speak to your pharmacist or GP.
Is Moviprep the same as Movicol?
No. Moviprep and Plenvu are bowel preparations used before a test such as a colonoscopy. Movicol is a laxative for constipation. They have separate supply notices.
Related pages
Recall facts checked on GOV.UK on 27 October 2026. Movicol, Moviprep and Plenvu are trade marks of their owners. MediWatch is independent and is not medical advice.