Hospitals in England hit by shortages of common drugs such as paracetamol
Summary
Hospitals in England are facing shortages of common medicines like aspirin, co-codamol (a painkiller), and ramipril (for high blood pressure). These shortages are caused by global trade issues, conflicts, and problems in making drugs, affecting many NHS trusts and leaving some patients without needed medication.Key Facts
- Many NHS trusts in England have trouble getting enough aspirin, co-codamol, and ramipril.
- One trust, Kent community health NHS trust, ran out of all three drugs.
- Aspirin shortages affected 62% of trusts that responded about that drug, between December and March.
- Co-codamol shortages lasted up to 10 months in some hospitals.
- Ramipril shortages affected 16% of trusts that responded; it is important for controlling high blood pressure.
- Some hospitals paid higher prices to keep a steady supply of ramipril.
- Most trusts had no backup plans for drug shortages and did not report these problems to NHS England.
- Experts say the drug shortage risk is higher than NHS England's current assessment and want better warning systems, including obligations for hospitals to report issues.
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