Co-written by Jonathan Burton, Chair of the Scottish Pharmacy Board, Geraldine McCaffrey, Chair of the Welsh Pharmacy Board and Tase Oputu, Chair of the English Pharmacy Board

In recent years, medicines shortages have become more frequent. Across the UK, pharmacists and their teams face increasing frustration as they work tirelessly to prevent the impact of these shortages on patient care and practice.

Daily impact on patients and healthcare teams

All too often, valuable time is spent navigating the complexities of supply chain disruptions. Pharmacists are forced to track down stock, while patients are left running between pharmacies in search of their prescribed medicines. Meanwhile, GPs rewrite prescriptions for alternative treatments when the original is unavailable. These challenges not only create inefficiencies but also lead to distress for patients and frustration for pharmacists, whose priority is always to provide the best possible care.

Despite significant efforts by medicines supply teams across the UK, the issue of shortages persists. It has captured the attention of politicians, news agencies, charities, and healthcare professionals alike, all asking the same question: what more can be done?

Investigating the causes of medicines shortages

At the RPS, we set out to investigate the root causes of medicines shortages and offer solutions to mitigate their impact. Our findings are presented in our new report, Medicines shortages: Solutions for empty shelves.

The report unpacks the complexities behind medicines shortages and highlights the need for collaborative action, drawing on expert advice, stakeholder interviews, and the experiences of pharmacy teams.

Key recommendations from the report include urging the Government to create a national strategy to better manage shortages and introducing legislation to allow community pharmacists to amend prescriptions when medicines are in short supply, reducing delays and the impact on patients.

We are especially grateful to National Voices and their members for amplifying the voices of patients, whose experiences have shaped the recommendations in the report.

Collaboration is key to driving change

While medicines shortages are not a new issue, they are becoming more frequent and the impact more severe. The need for cross-sector, cross-system, and cross-national collaboration has never been more pressing. By working together, we can limit the disruption caused by shortages and ensure patients and healthcare teams face fewer obstacles in delivering and accessing care.

The RPS remains committed to leading the conversation on this issue and driving meaningful change. We hope this report will serve as a catalyst for action across the healthcare sector.

Read the report: Medicines shortages: Solutions for empty shelves.

More on medicines shortages.