Key Summary
- From January to June 2026, the highest number of supply issue notifications were recorded in March (150), followed by June (133) and February (112).
- From January to June 2026, there were around 200 discontinuation notifications.
- The highest number of supply discontinuation notifications were issued in June (47), followed by March (45) and February (32).
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has stated that from January to June 2026, pharmaceutical suppliers had submitted around 700 supply issue notifications on its online reporting portal - Discontinuations and Shortages (DaSH).
In its biannual report, the DHSC said that this is lower than the same period in previous years. In 2025, there were around 1,400 supply issue notifications, and this was lower than in 2024 (1,900 notifications), as well as 2022 and 2023 (around 1,600 notifications each year).
From January to June 2026, the highest number of supply issue notifications were recorded in March (150), followed by June (133) and February (112).
The notifications on DaSH are of two types:- Supply issues: Where the national supply of a medicine is insufficient to meet patient demand.
- Discontinuations: Where a manufacturer or importer intends to permanently cease supply of a medicine.
From January to June 2026, there were around 200 discontinuation notifications.
In 2025, there were around 480 discontinuation notifications, whereas in 2024, 2023 and 2022 there were around 400 notifications each year.
From January to June 2026, the highest number of supply discontinuation notifications were issued in June (47), followed by March (45) and February (32).
Root causes
In the DaSH portal, suppliers are required to provide information on the root causes of medicine supply issues, and they are presented annually.
In 2025, manufacturing problems remained the most commonly reported root cause, accounting for 62% of notifications.
This was followed by legal, regulatory, market and demand factors (37% of notifications), and logistics-related factors (5%).
UK a less attractive market: CCA
While commenting on the report, Company Chemists’ Association (CCA) Chief Executive Malcolm Harrison said: “Supply issues and discontinuations remain a significant challenge for the whole supply chain, and especially for patients who cannot access the medicines they need.
"Over the past two decades, successive governments have significantly driven down the price they pay for medicines, making the UK a less attractive market globally.
"Ultimately, sustained investment in medicines pricing and community pharmacy is required to build resilience and protect patient access to medicines.
"The CCA has recently established the Medicines Supply Resilience Group (MSRG), bringing together representatives from across the supply chain alongside officials from the Department, NHS and MHRA, to identify practical steps to improve the long-term sustainability of the supply chain and protect patient access to medicines.”
APPG report
The Community Pharmacy England (CPE) has highlighted the ongoing impact of medicines shortages on community pharmacy teams and patients at a meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Pharmacy.
The meeting, "Maximising Value for Medicines: One Year On from the Medicines Shortages Report", brought together Parliamentarians and representatives from Government, the pharmaceutical industry, wholesalers, patient organisations and pharmacy organisations to review progress since the APPG published its report on medicines shortages in 2025.
Representing CPE, Dr James Davies, Director of Research and Insights, provided evidence that pharmacy teams continue to face significant workload pressures associated with medicines shortages.
He explained that shortages are increasingly being driven by economic factors as well as manufacturing and supply chain issues, creating a worsening picture in some areas.
Davies also highlighted the growing number of Drug Tariff concession price applications, noting that while concession prices are intended to support patient access during shortages, the current process creates a considerable administrative burden for pharmacies.
He suggested that alternative pricing approaches should be explored to help improve long-term resilience and reduce unnecessary bureaucracy.
Challenges faced by pharmacists
Most speakers admitted that pharmacists spend considerable time sourcing medicines, liaising with prescribers and supporting patients through shortages, much of which remains unfunded and takes teams away from delivering direct patient care.
Many participants also called for making better use of pharmacists’ clinical expertise during shortages, including providing them greater flexibility to substitute medicines where clinically appropriate.
They felt this could improve patient access to treatment while reducing pressures across the wider NHS.
The meeting also explored the wider challenges affecting medicines supply, including global market pressures, procurement and reimbursement arrangements, forecasting, data sharing and supply chain resilience.
Participants agreed that while collaboration between Government and the sector has improved over the past year, more action is needed to address the root causes of medicines shortages.
Davies said: “Medicines supply remains under significant pressure, with management of shortages continuing to be complex and time-consuming for all involved. Community pharmacy teams, as the front door to the NHS, continue to shoulder the impact.
"It is deeply concerning that little meaningful progress for patients has been made since last year’s APPG report. Our 2026 Pharmacy Pressures Survey found that 86% of pharmacies are spending more time sourcing medicines than they did a year ago, with 72% of pharmacy team members reporting that patients are affected by medicines shortages on a daily basis.
"These findings underline the urgent need for reform of the medicines supply system. At a minimum, the Government must deliver on its commitment to introduce pharmacist flexibilities, enabling pharmacists to make appropriate amendments to prescriptions and help mitigate the impact of shortages on patients.”
