The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has notified that Ramipril 1.25mg, 2.5mg, 5mg and 10mg capsules, will be in limited supply until the end of October 2026.
These hypertension capsules remain available, but cannot support the increase in demand.
The DHSC has said that alternative ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor) inhibitors and ARBs (Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers) are available, but has recommended against routine switching as their usage is lower than that of Ramipril and could affect other supply chains.
The department has issued a Tier 2 – medium impact notification and mailed a copy of it to the NHS email addresses of pharmacies.
In April 2026, a Medicine Supply Notification (MSN) and Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) were issued for the shortage of ramipril 1.25mg capsules.
Medicine shortages concerning: NPA
National Pharmacy Association Chair Olivier Picard said: "We are concerned by this ongoing shortage, which is one of many shortages of medicines that pharmacies and their patients have had to grapple with in recent years.
"Millions of patients rely on Ramipril and although there are alternative medicines available, these are frustrating and worrying for patients and pharmacies will do their best to support them.
"The government should allow pharmacists to make appropriate substitutions to Ramipril prescriptions to ensure patients do not have to go back to their GP to find an alternative.
"Pharmacies are increasingly facing supply problems affecting everyday medicines on which millions rely every day, with some describing shortages as the worst they have ever experienced.
"Whilst the medicine supply chain is complex, the rising problem of shortages across a wide range of medication is extremely worrying for patients and heartbreaking for pharmacists who go to great lengths to ensure they don't turn them away.
"Fragility in the global supply chain is worsened by international instability and this new government must convene a urgent taskforce to fully grip this chronic problem."
