English hospitals report shortages of common medicines including aspirin

Hospitals across England have reported shortages of common medicines including aspirin, co-codamol and ramipril, according to freedom of information data analysed by University College London researcher Rodolfo Catena. Of the 184 NHS trusts approached, 60 provided responses. Twenty-six of the 42 trusts that answered questions about aspirin had experienced supply disruption between December and March.

Thirteen of 42 trusts reported shortages of co-codamol, a combination of paracetamol and codeine. Seven of 43 trusts said they had been unable to obtain sufficient supplies of ramipril, a medicine used to control blood pressure. Nine trusts had problems obtaining two of the three drugs, while Kent Community Health NHS Trust reported shortages of all three.

The disruption has affected medicines used for pain relief, prevention of blood clots and treatment of high blood pressure. Frimley Health NHS Trust paid higher prices for ramipril to protect supplies, according to the findings. Nearly all responding trusts, 92%, said they had no contingency plan for supply problems, while 82% had not reported the shortages to NHS England.

Catena said trusts should be required to report shortages, rather than placing that obligation only on pharmaceutical companies. The Society for Acute Medicine said shortages could disrupt treatment and increase pressure on clinical and pharmacy teams. The Department of Health and Social Care said ramipril was in limited supply and that serious shortage protocols had been issued.

It said it was working with suppliers to resolve problems involving ramipril, co-codamol and aspirin.