The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has today published Medicines Shortages: One Year On, a report assessing progress since the launch of Medicines Shortages: Solutions for Empty Shelves in December 2024. The new report sets out where improvements have been made, where target action could accelerate change, and where areas of concern remain.
One year on, patients, pharmacists and wider healthcare teams continue to feel the impact of medicines shortages.
The number of shortages remains high and managing them continues to absorb significant time and resources across the health service. Pharmacy teams are on the frontline of shortages and risk being diverted away from patient-facing care as they manage fragile medicines supplies.
Although some local systems have invested in dedicated teams to support the management of medicines shortages, cuts to Integrated Care Boards and the merger of DHSC and NHS England risks creating operational challenges. Large scale restructuring could see the loss of local links and expertise that supports collaborative working.
RPS President Professor Claire Anderson said:
“While there have been some very positive steps since our report, patients, pharmacy teams and the NHS continue to feel the impact of medicines shortages.
“Despite some evidence that medicines shortages may have reduced over 2025, this is not felt by pharmacy teams on the ground, who continue to manage shortages of widely prescribed medicines on a daily basis.
“There has been progress across some of the recommendations, including positive collaboration between government, regulators, the NHS and industry. A national strategy must be supported by senior leaders in Government and backed with continued investment. In a global market, shaped by geopolitical uncertainty and competing national interests, the Government must take decisive steps to protect medicines supply.
“There are continued calls for reforms on medicines reimbursement and supply in community pharmacy and we await the outcome of the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework negotiations in England.
“RPS has long called for pharmacists to be empowered to make safe, appropriate substitutions when a medicine is in short supply. I welcomed the recent consultation on this issue and the Government must now seize this opportunity and make the most of pharmacists’ skills to support patient access to medicines.”
Jacob Lant, Chief Executive of National Voices, said:
"The spirit of a resilient supply chain embraces the importance of protecting patients. Whether managing a long-term condition or facing an acute health crisis, a secure supply should mean no disruptions to their life or treatment.
“This report highlights ongoing shortages of commonly prescribed medicines, which heighten anxieties in an already fragile system, as patients often do not know when or if their medicine will be available.
“Beyond fortifying supply chains, we need a system that ensures shortages do not force clinicians to make second-best choices or leave patients feeling helpless because of them.”
Read the full report: Medicines Shortages: One Year On
Read the 2024 report: Medicines Shortages: Solutions for Empty Shelves
Explore more RPS news