NHSL Medicine Shortages

Please see SPS for further details

05/02/2027

Please see SPS for further details

Discontinuation

Please see SPS for further details

17/04/2026

Please see MSN for further details

Discontinuation 30/10/2026

Please see MSN for further details

24/04/2026

Please see MSN for further details

03/04/2026

Phenobarbital is a category 1 anti-epileptic drug so ideally patients should be maintained on a specific manufacturer’s product. Patients should be monitored after a switch in manufacturer’s product for loss of seizure control and/or adverse effects.Please see MSAN for further details.

27/03/2026

Please see SPS for further details.

04/09/2026

Please see MSN for further information.

27/02/2026

Sulfadiazine silver (Flamazine) 1% cream

Please see MSAN for further details

Discontinuation

Clomipramine 50mg capsules

Shortage starts 27/02/2026

06/03/2026

Linezolid (Zyvox) 100mg/5ml granules for oral suspension

Please see SPS for further information

30/04/2026

Please see SPS for further information

17/04/2026

Please see SPS for further information

06/03/2026

It has been out of stock since 2024. Tabs and caps remain available.

Discontinuation

Originally published 20/01/2025 as unavailable. Now discontinued.

Discontinuation

Please see SPS for further information

Discontinuation 19/12/2025

Please see SPS for further information

Discontinuation 01/10/2025

Ifosfamide 1g and 2g powder for solution for injection vials are expected to be out of stock from early February 2026.

30/06/2026

Please see SPS for further information. 

07/03/2026

Please see MSAN for further information.

30/06/2026

Asenapine (Sycrest®) 5mg and 10mg sublingual tablets

Please see SPS for further information.

Discontinuation

30/01/2026

Please see SPS and MSAN for further information.

27/02/2026

Please see SPS for further information.

Discontinuation

30/01/2026

Please see SPS for further information.

27/02/2026

Please see SPS for further information.

10/04/2026

Itraconazole capsules and oral solutions remain available.

25/09/2026

Shortage of Itraconazole 250mg/25ml concentrate and solvent for solution for infusion – NHS SPS

Alternative medicines for acid reflux, indigestion, diarrhoea and nausea remain available.

03/04/2026

Shortage of bismuth subsalicylate chewable tablets - SPS

Status updated from shortage to product discontinuation. Please see SPS for further information.

Discontinuation

19/01/2026

Discotinuation of Emerade auto-injector pens - SPS

Please see SPS for further information.

Shortage of Steriflex - SPS

Please see MSAN for further information.

MSAN (2026) 04

Please see SPS for further information.

Shortage of Co-magaldrox (Mucogel) 195mg/220mg/5ml oral suspension sugar free – NHS SPS

Refer to the NPSA Alert issued on 14 January 2026 for a full set of actions. This alert is for action by acute care hospitals and any other organisations involved in prescribing Steriflex No.109 and No.171 IV fluid bags.

Please see SPS and MSAN for further information.

05/06/2026

Shortage of co-codamol 30mg/500mg tablets - SPS

MSAN(2026)03

Please see SPS for further information.

03/04/2026

Shortage of mefloquine 250mg tablets - SPS

Do not initiate patients on fluvoxamine 100mg tablets during the supply issue.

Fluvoxamine 50mg tablets remain available and can support increased demand.

24/04/2026

Shortage of fluvoxamine 100mg tablets - SPS

There has been a recent disruption to the supply of aspirin dispersible tablets in December 2025. The supplier has confirmed that the issue was addressed w/c 15^th December and production has been increased to fulfil all current outstanding orders. Supply is anticipated to return to normal over the next few weeks.

Next few weeks

Shortage of Aspirin 75mg dispersible tablets – NHS SPS

There is limited stock available at wholesalers and trust’s should only order what they need until the shortage has been resolved. Metoprolol 1mg/ml injection remains available and can support increased demand.

24/04/2026

Shortage of Atenolol 5mg/10ml solution for injection ampoules – NHS SPS

Where patients have insufficient supply of Semglee® 100units/ml pre-filled pens until the resupply date, clinicians should review patients and consider prescribing an alternative insulin glargine such as Abasaglar® KwikPen 100units/ml solution for injection 3ml pre-filled pens, which can support an increase in demand.

27/02/2026

Shortage of Semglee pre-filled pens - SPS

Clinicians should consider Uniroid HC® (Cinchocaine 0.5% / Hydrocortisone 0.5%) ointment, ensuring that the patient is not intolerant to any of the excipients.

20/02/2026

Shortage of Proctosedyl Ointment - SPS

Do not initiate new patients on the Genotropin® Pen reusable device until the supply issue has resolved.

See Medicine Supply Notification (MSN/2025/072) for possible alternatives.

30/01/2026

MSN/2025/072

Ensure no new patients are started on diamorphine injection unless other opioid options are not considered suitable.

Morphine sulfate 10mg/1ml injection is opioid of choice, reserve remaining stock of diamorphine for patients considered unsuitable for morphine.

Do not switch patients to the 30mg strength of diamorphine injection as there is insufficient stock to support increased use.

See Medicine Supply Notification (MSN/2025/071) for further information.

16/03/2026

MSN/2025/071

Clonidine 25microgram tablets remain available and can support increased demand.

Clonidine 50micrograms/5ml and 100micrograms/5ml oral solution sugar free remain available and can support increased demand.

Where these are not suitable, unlicensed supplies of clonidine 100microgram tablets may be sourced, lead times vary.

See Medicine Supply Notification (MSN/2025/070) for further information.

Mid February 2026

MSN/2025/070

Fixapost 50micrograms/ml / 5mg/ml eye drops 0.2ml unit dose: shortage resolved 05/02/2026.

See Medicine Supply Notification (MSN/2025/069) for possible alternatives. 

MSAN available here NHS Scotland - Publications.

Vizilatan Duo eye drops: 27/03/2026

MSN/2025/069

Consider prescribing alternative brands of nifedipine 30mg and 60mg modified-release preparations (e.g. Coracten XL capsules, note contains gelatin).

Refer to SPS for further options. 

MSAN available here NHS Scotland - Publications

Shortage changed to a Discontinuation on 15/01/2026

Shortage of Adipine XL 30mg and 60mg tablets - SPS

• Assess current stock holdings of Clonidine 150microgram/1ml Injection
• If additional supply is required, place orders directly with the wholesales: Alliance and Phoenix.

28/02/2026

Shortage of clonidine 150mcg/1ml solution for injection ampoules - SPS

Discontinuation 12/01/2026

Discontinuation of buprenorphine (Subutex) 0.4mg, 2mg and 8mg sublingual tablets – NHS SPS

04/04/2026

29/05/2026

27/03/2026

Discontinuation

15/12/2025

Shortage of Topiramate tablets – NHS SPS

Discontinuation

16/01/2026

Please see National Patient Safety Alert (NatPSA/2025/007/DHSC).

Please see SPS for further details.

Discontinuation of Lopinavir / Ritonavir tablets – SPS

Please see SPS and MSN for further details.

Discontinuation of Mivacurium 2mg/ml solution for injection ampoules – SPS

MSN/2025/061

Please see SPS for further details.

Update: As of 13/01/2026, this shortage has been reclassified from Tier 3 (high impact) to Tier 2 (medium impact).

Clinicians should not initiate new patients on ibandronic acid 150mg tablets until the supply issue has resolved.

Where patients have insufficient supply to last until the resupply date, clinicians should review patients.

Venlafaxine 150mg MR capsules remain available and can support increased demand.

Venlafaxine 75mg MR tablets remains available and can support increased demand.

13/03/2026

Clinicians should:

• not initiate new patients on any Levemir product; and
• begin implementing insulin switches for all existing Levemir patients in line with the clinical guidance.

Local teams should avoid initiating widespread switches without checking the current supply overview of alternative insulins to reduce the risk of precipitating a supply disruption of these products.

Discontinuation 31 December 2026

Galantamine 20mg/5ml oral solution sugar free remains available and can support full uplift in demand. There may be unlicensed preparations available too.

16mg - 02/01/2026

24mg - 27/03/2026

Prescribers should not initiate new patients on Estradot 25micrograms/24hours, 37.5micrograms/24hours 50micrograms/24hours, 75micrograms/24hours and 100micrograms/24hours transdermal patches until the supply issues have resolved.

17/04/2026

Fiasp FlexTouch (insulin aspart) 100units/ml solution for injection 3ml pre-filled pens have been out of stock since 31 March 2024 and have subsequently been discontinued.

Discontinuation

Clinicians should not initiate new patients on quetiapine modified-release tablets until the supply issues have resolved.

Ongoing

Tresiba (insulin degludec) FlexTouch 100units/ml solution for injection 3ml pre-filled pens have been out of stock since 31 July 2023 and have subsequently been discontinued.

Discontinuation

Please see SPS for further details

Discontinuation

Please see SPS for further details

Discontinuation

Please see MSAN for full details.

If an unlicensed preparation is required, refer to SPS guidance on specialist importers, SPS - propranolol shortage.

80mg caps - 03/07/2026

160mg caps - 03/07/2026

Please see MSN for further details

Unlicensed sodium thiosulfate 12.5g/50ml solution for injection vials remain available.

Consider alternative unlicensed strengths of polihexanide containing eye drops, ensuring that the patient is not allergic to any of the excipients.

Review patients to determine if treatment is still required and where continued treatment is considered appropriate, consider prescribing tramadol (Zamadol Melt®) 50mg orodispersible tablets sugar free, ensuring patients are not intolerant to any of the excipients.

Alternative antifungal treatments remain available.

Consider prescribing cefalexin non sugar free preparation in the first instance, if appropriate.

If unsuitable, consider prescribing an alternative antibiotic liquid, with reference to local guidance and allergies.

Shortage of betamethasone 500mcg soluble tablets

MSN/2025/040

do not initiate new patients on Asmanex Twisthalers® and consider switching existing patients prescribed an Asmanex Twisthaler® an alternative inhaled treatment

Discontinuation

please see SPS for further details

20/02/2026

Changed from a shortage to a discontinuation. Consider prescribing an alternative brand of fentanyl matrix patch and monitor and clinically assess the person’s response and titrate dose if required. Formulary options can be found here.

Discontinuation

Review existing patients to determine if Dalivit Oral Drops are still required. Consider prescribing Abidec Multivitamin Drops for young children where appropriate, ensuring that they are not intolerant to any of the excipients, including arachis oil (peanut oil) and counsel parent(s)/carers on the appropriate dose and volume required. For further information please see MSN

06/03/2026

consider switching to alternative once weekly parenteral GLP-1 RAs or GIP/GLP-1 RA

Discontinuation

New Rybelsus strengths (1.5mg, 4mg and 9mg) are NOT bioequivalent to previous strengths (3mg, 7mg and 14mg) and are NOT a straight mg for mg switch. New formulation has higher bioavailability, requiring lower milligram strengths for the same therapeutic effect.

If switching from an older strength, follow the conversion guidance and review the patient's current dose and tolerance before prescribing.

Conversion guidance:

3 mg → 1.5 mg (Initiation)

7 mg → 4 mg (Maintenance)

14 mg → 9 mg (Maintenance)

Discontinuation

31/01/2026

please see link for medicines shortage notification for further information

May 2026

Consider prescribing unlicensed fluphenazine decanoate 125mg/5ml solution for injection (multidose vial), only where licensed alternatives are not appropriate, ensuring the patient is not allergic to any excipients, the correct volume is administered, and injection volume >2ml for higher doses is acceptable to the patient

Alternative pack sizes (1 vial and 25 vial) of benzylpenicillin sodium 600mg powder for solution for injections vials remain available and can support increased demand

01/05/2026

Topiramate is an MHRA category 2 antiepileptic drug. Other manufacturers remain in stock of topiramate tablets and can support increased demand

31.10.2025

Clonazepam is an MHRA category 2 antiepileptic drug. Other manufacturers remain in stock of clonazepam 2mg tablets and can support increased demand

20.2.2026

Prescribers should not initiate patients on mupirocin 2% cream until the shortage has resolved. Bactroban 2% ointment and generic mupirocin 2% ointment 15g products remain available and can support increased demand.

03.10.2025

Clinicians should not initiate new people on Admelog®. Clinicians should review existing patients and consider switching to the originator insulin product,
Humalog® 100units/ml solution for injection. Patients may need training on the new device and may need to monitor blood glucose levels more closely and have their dose adjusted if required.

Discontinuation

please see link SPS site for further information

Discontinuation

please see link SPS site for further information

28/02/2026

Prescribers should not initiate new patients on glucagon (Ogluo) 500micrograms/0.1ml solution for injection pen or glucagon (Ogluo) 1mg/0.2ml solution for injection pre-filled pen. Please consider prescribing glucagon (GlucaGen Hypokit) 1mg powder and solvent for solution for injection vials

Discontinuation

Consider prescribing co-trimoxazole 40mg/200mg/5ml oral suspension sugar free, note different excipients.

05.06.2026

consider prescribing an alternative dinoprostone preparation

09.01.2026

Unlicensed supplies of hydralazine 20mg injection can be sourced

28.08.2026

Clinicians should consider prescribing levofloxacin (Oxalux) 5mg/ml eye drops 0.5ml unit dose preservative free, ensuring that the patient is not intolerant to any of the excipients and is counselled on the appropriate dose.

05/12/2025

Clinicians should not initiate any new patients on Progynova TS patches and consider prescribing alternative estradiol patches, taking into account previous patches tried, dosing frequency, and intolerance to any of the patch excipients

Discontinuation

Rifampicin 150mg and 300mg capsules

Rifampicin 600mg IV solution for infusion

Rifampicin 100mg/5ml oral suspension

Rifinah® 300 tablets (rifampicin 300mg / isoniazid 150mg)

Rifater® tablets (rifampicin 120mg / isoniazid 50mg/ pyrazinamide 300mg)

Voractiv® tablets (rifampicin 150mg/ isoniazid 75mg / pyrazinamide 400mg / ethambutol 275mg)

Pyrazinamide 500mg tablets

Please see the MSN for further information

26/12/2025

Humulin® I (insulin isophane human), Humulin® M3 (insulin isophane biphasic human 30/70), Humalog® Mix25 (insulin lispro biphasic 25/75) & Humulin® S (insulin soluble human) 100units/ml solution for injection 10ml vials

Vials of Humulin® I, Humulin® S, Humulin® M3, and Humalog® Mix25 are being discontinued.

Supplies of Humulin® I and Humalog® Mix25 vials are anticipated to be exhausted by the end of April 2026; and Humulin® M3 and Humulin® S vials by the end of May 2026.

Humulin® I, Humulin® S, Humulin® M3, and Humalog® Mix25 in cartridges (for use with HumaPen® Savvio® reusable pen) remain available, and can support increased demand (see Supporting information).

Humulin® I, Humulin® M3 and Humalog® Mix25 in disposable KwikPens® remain available and can support increased demand (see Supporting information).

Insulatard® (insulin isophane human) 100units/ml suspension for injection and Actrapid® (insulin soluble human) 100units/ml solution for injection 10ml vials remain available but cannot support increased demand

Discontinuation

Hypurin® Porcine Isophane (insulin isophane porcine), Hypurin® Porcine Neutral (insulin soluble porcine) & Hypurin® Porcine 30/70 Mix (insulin isophane biphasic porcine 30/70) 100units/ml suspension for injection 10ml vials

Vial presentations of Hypurin® Porcine Isophane, Hypurin® Porcine Neutral and Hypurin® Porcine30/70 Mix are being discontinued with supplies anticipated to be exhausted by the end of September 2025, mid-February 2026, and end of July 2026, respectively.

The cartridge presentations of these products remain available and can support increased demand.

Hypurin® Porcine cartridges are compatible with the AutoPen® Classic, and with the new mypen®2, which will be available from late September 2025.

Note: AutoPen® Classic has been discontinued but limited stock remains available and can be used until mypen®2 is available

Marketing Authorisation Holder (MAH) has decided to cease marketing this product in the UK. The Marketing Authorisation (MA) remains valid and will be withdrawn upon the expiry of the final product batches, scheduled for the end of August 2025.