First reported 13 Oct 2014•Latest report 31 Mar 2025
Definition
What this concern includes
Includes failures in the dedicated medication-shortage response and continuity process, including shortage planning, escalation, communication of roles and alternatives, prioritisation, sourcing and arrangements to prevent patients being left without clinically required medication.
Not included
Excludes ordinary medication prescribing, administration, monitoring or counselling failures where no medication supply shortage or shortage-response deficiency is identified.
Excludes shortages of non-medication clinical equipment, such as cannulae, unless the assertion explicitly concerns medication supply.
Excludes isolated medication stock shortages where no continuing failure in shortage management, communication or continuity of access is identified.
Excludes generic information-sharing or leaflet deficiencies that are not tied to maintaining access to clinically required medication during a supply shortage.
Reports
4
Distinct published reports
Individual concerns
6
A report can raise multiple concerns
Date range
2014–2025
First to latest report issue date
Stated actions
10
Described in published responses
Reports over time
Reports over time
Reports about this concern issued each year.
* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.
Most frequent recipients
Most frequent recipients
Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.
Department of Health and Social Care1
General Pharmaceutical Council1
Midway Pharmacy1
Royal Free Hospital1
Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust1
University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust1
NHS trust2
Health and care professional regulator1
Healthcare site1
Ministerial department1
Type not available1
Concerns and responses across reports
Only concerns grouped under this recurring concern are included. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.
Inner North London
Concerns raised1
Failure to ensure timely availability of Naloxone
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
Action
Deliver two weeks of safety-huddle sessions on accessing and replenishing Naloxone, including out-of-hours arrangements.
Stated by Royal Free London NHS Foundation TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 1 April 2025.
Action
Increase ward 8 North Naloxone stock from two to three boxes and audit stocking consistency.
Stated by Royal Free London NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 1 April 2025.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Access to Naloxone on ward 8 North was not disrupted; unusually high usage caused the delay in administration.
Stated by Royal Free London NHS Foundation TrustDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
West Yorkshire Eastern
Concerns raised3
Lack of clear designated systems for dealing with medication supply shortages
Failure to provide leaflets explaining roles during medication supply shortages
Failure of pharmacies to search for supplies when prescribed medication is unavailable
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
Action
Publish guidance explaining how pharmacies should respond when prescribed medicines are unavailable.
Stated by General Pharmaceutical CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 9 January 2025.
Action
Inspect the pharmacy’s systems for managing out-of-stock medicines and supply issues.
Stated by General Pharmaceutical CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 9 January 2025.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
Position
The pharmacy’s staged process sought medication supplies, and referral to other pharmacies followed unsuccessful attempts to obtain the prescribed brand.
Stated by Midway PharmacyDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
Position
Manufacturing medicines and wider supply and shortage issues fall outside the regulator’s direct role.
Stated by General Pharmaceutical CouncilOutside remitThe respondent said that this matter was outside its role or authority.
Leicester City and South Leicestershire
Concerns raised1
Failure to ensure priority access to limited supplies of Lorazepam
This report raised 4 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
Manchester South
Concerns raised1
Severe shortages of Isoprenaline
This report raised 11 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.6
Action
Work with European and North American countries to resolve pharmaceutical supply issues.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 13 October 2014.
Action
Ask the NHS UK Medicines Information service to produce a shortage memorandum on isoprenaline availability and alternative supply sources.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 13 October 2014.
Action
Replenish the Trust’s Isoprenaline stock following the national shortage.
Stated by Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 13 October 2014.
Action
Maintain safe Critical Care medication storage, regular staff checks and pharmacist audits.
Stated by Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 13 October 2014.
Action
Reiterate the medicines-shortage protocol to the Pharmacy Department.
Stated by Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 13 October 2014.
Action
Review existing Pharmacy Department pathways for managing medicines shortages.
Stated by Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 13 October 2014.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
Position
Some medicine supply problems are inevitable and unavoidable because of manufacturing, regulatory and raw-material difficulties.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareUnable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action.
Position
Existing stocks, contingency arrangements and local networks are considered sufficient to maintain medicines or suitable alternatives during shortages.
Stated by Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation TrustExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
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Includes failures in the dedicated medication-shortage response and continuity process, including shortage planning, escalation, communication of roles and alternatives, prioritisation, sourcing and arrangements to prevent patients being left without clinically required medication.
