Pharmacies warn over 'dangerous' widespread shortages of this common painkiller
Aspirin is one of the most commonly prescribed medications in the UK 💊
- Pharmacies are reporting a widespread shortage of aspirin.
- The price of aspirin has risen by 18p due to the shortage.
- Aspirin is prescribed to relieve mild to moderate pain or to protect against the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and blood clots in high-risk patients.
Pharmacists have warned that the UK is facing a widespread shortage of aspirin, with some rationing supplies for patients who need it most.
A new poll by the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) found that 86 per cent of pharmacies in the UK had been unable to supply aspirin to their patients in the last week (January 13-20).
Aspirin is one of the most commonly prescribed drugs in the UK, with over 50 million items issued between January 2025 and October 2025. It is not only used for pain relief, but is often prescribed to those at high risk or with a history of strokes, heart disease, chronic kidney disease and diabetes.
Pharmacies have been rationing supplies for the patients with the most acute needs, whilst a number told the NPA that they had stopped providing aspirin over the counter.
The cost of aspirin is also rising, with prices increasing in the last two months for a packet of Aspirin 75mg dispersible tablets, by 18p to £3.90. The NPA say this is leaving pharmacies at a loss as the NHS will only reimburse at £2.18 a packet.
They’re calling for reform of the rules to allow pharmacies to prescribe an alternative to what’s on the prescription when the item is not in stock.
Olivier Picard, Chair of the National Pharmacy Association, said: "We're concerned about reports of pharmacies being unable to order stocks of aspirin and the implications this might have for the patients they serve.
"For those pharmacies that can get hold of supply, costs will far exceed what they will be reimbursed by the NHS, yet more signs of a fundamentally broken pharmacy contract in desperate need of reform by the government.
"We've long called for pharmacists to be able to make substitutions where a medicine is not in stock and it is safe to supply an alternative. The status quo is not only frustrating for patients, it is also dangerous.
“It is madness to send someone back to their GP to get a prescription changed when a safe alternative is in stock. It risks a patient either delaying taking vital medication or forgoing it altogether, which poses a clear risk to patient safety."
What conditions is aspirin used to treat?
Aspirin is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is used to relieve mild to moderate pain, reduce fever and inflammation.
Low-dose aspirin is also commonly prescribed to patients at high risk of strokes, heart disease, chronic kidney disease and diabetes, as well as to pregnant women to reduce the risk of high blood pressure or pre-eclampsia.
Why is there an aspirin shortage?
The cause of the shortage, reported by the Pharmaceutical Journal, is manufacturing delays due to ongoing global supply problems. On January 17, aspirin was added to the list of medications that cannot be exported or hoarded in the UK by the government.
Aspirin is available over the counter or can be prescribed for a range of health conditions. You can find out more about the medication at NHS.UK.