Medicine shortages warning after Iran blockades Strait of Hormuz
Many common drugs, including aspirin, paracetamol, ibuprofen and a range of antibiotics, rely on ingredients sourced from the Middle East or via the Strait of Hormuz
Common drugs could face shortages(Image: PA)
Britain should start stockpiling medicines because of Iran’s blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, pharmacists have warned.
Many common drugs, including aspirin, paracetamol, ibuprofen and a range of antibiotics, rely on petroleum-based ingredients as well as other components sourced from the Middle East. The Independent Pharmacies Association, which represents 5,000 pharmacies across England and Wales, has written to Health Secretary Wes Streeting.
Its chief executive Dr Leyla Hannbeck said some painkillers were already in short supply, such as co-codamol and opioids. She said: “Community pharmacies are already feeling the strain of fragile global supply chains. Tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world ’s most important shipping routes, have raised fears of rising crude oil prices and disruptions to international trade. This matters for medicine.”
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“Many common drugs, including aspirin, paracetamol, ibuprofen and a range of antibiotics, rely on petroleum-based ingredients as well as other raw materials sourced from the Middle East and beyond.
“Any disruption to these supplies increases production costs and slows manufacturing, which quickly translates into lower availability on pharmacy shelves. At a time when several key medicines are already difficult to obtain, this could make an already challenging situation far worse.”
Supply chain issues caused by the Iranian attacks could have an impact on “essential treatments that millions rely on daily”, including common blood pressure medicines such as propranolol, and cholesterol treatments to prevent heart attacks and strokes.
Dr Hannbeck added: “The economics of the UK medicines market are another key factor. Many generic medicines are sold at extremely low prices. While this has helped control costs for the NHS, it has made the UK a less attractive market for some manufacturers.
“When global supply is constrained, companies often prioritise countries where prices are higher, leaving the UK at the back of the queue. When stock does appear, prices can suddenly spike by hundreds of percent, forcing pharmacies to pay inflated costs just to keep patients supplied.
“So, today, I am asking you to step in and take immediate action to keep the nation’s patients supplied with the medicines they need. Firstly, we urge you to immediately prevent the export or hoarding of the 150 medicines already identified as those in the shortest supply.”
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: “The vast majority of the UK’s licensed medicines are in good supply, and to make sure this remains the case, we are investing more in the domestic medicine manufacturing industry. We’re strengthening the resilience of our medicine supply by offering financial incentives for the manufacturing of more medicines – and have well-established processes in place to mitigate risks, including using alternative medicines when available. We are also actively engaging with partner countries to bolster supply chains – protecting NHS services and patients.”
