The UK is currently facing its worst drug shortages in 4 years, according to official data, with Brexit cited as a major contributor to the problem.
In 2023, pharmaceutical companies reported 1,938 supply disruptions to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), the highest since 2021 when the number peaked at 1,967. This surge has impacted access to essential medications, including those used to treat epilepsy and cystic fibrosis, posing serious health risks.
The data, released by the Nuffield Trust through a freedom of information request, reveals a troubling trend. While supply disruptions dropped slightly in 2022 and 2023 to 1,608 and 1,634 respectively, they spiked again in 2024.
Mark Dayan, a policy expert with the Nuffield Trust and its lead on Brexit-related healthcare issues, emphasized the ongoing struggle for patients to access vital drugs. “This persistent wave of shortages is deeply concerning and shows no sign of easing,” he said.
The report highlights that, although medicine shortages are a global issue, the UK is experiencing a more severe and deteriorating situation compared to other European countries, largely due to Brexit. The UK now records the weakest growth in medicine imports among G7 nations, largely because of a drop in imports from the EU.
Trade data from the UN analysed by the think tank shows that since 2010, the UK has seen the smallest increase in medicine imports among G7 nations. More alarmingly, the total value of medicine imports has declined by nearly 20% in cash terms since 2015, the year before the Brexit referendum. This suggests a significant shift in supply chains away from the UK, with little sign of recovery.
HMRC figures reinforce this view, showing a marked drop in EU imports, supporting the idea that Brexit-related trade barriers are playing a role. Additionally, UK exports of pharmaceuticals to the European Economic Area have plummeted by a third since the 2016 vote to leave the EU.
Earlier this month, the National Pharmacy Association raised concerns about the “escalating crisis” in drug supply. In a survey of 500 pharmacies, every respondent said they were unable to fill at least one prescription daily due to stock issues.
“Pharmacies are often the first to deal with the consequences of shortages, regularly having to turn away patients who are anxious and upset,” said NPA chair Nick Kaye. He called on the government to allow pharmacists to provide safe alternative medications when usual prescriptions are unavailable. “It’s incredibly frustrating when we have effective alternatives on hand but can’t dispense them,” he added.
Dayan cautioned that as the EU ramps up efforts to reduce drug shortages through supply-sharing and increased local production, the UK could be left behind. “Brexit appears to have excluded us from some European supply chains,” he said.
In response, a DHSC spokesperson stated that the government is dealing with ongoing global supply challenges and is working to strengthen domestic production. They highlighted a £520 million investment in UK-based manufacturing of medicines, diagnostics, and medical tech. The department is also collaborating with the NHS, regulators, and international partners to improve supply chain resilience and reduce regulatory hurdles in the life sciences sector.
