England's Medicine Shortages Deepen, Hitting Heart, Stroke and Mental Health Patients

Pharmacists and patient groups in England say medicine availability is becoming markedly worse. Community Pharmacy England, which represents thousands of pharmacies, says the number of out-of-stock items pharmacists encounter each day has more than doubled in two years. Affected products include drugs for heart-rhythm disorders, blood thinners, eye drops, and lithium-based medicines used to treat bipolar disorder.

The British Generic Manufacturers Association attributes the problem to a combination of fragile global raw-material supply chains, underinvestment in manufacturing capacity, and post-Brexit import frictions. The Royal Pharmaceutical Society said patients are being asked to return to pharmacies repeatedly, with some waiting for further GP appointments to obtain alternatives. The Department of Health and Social Care said it is using "serious shortage protocols" more frequently to allow pharmacists to substitute medicines.

Specialists warn that interruptions are particularly risky for chronic conditions such as bipolar disorder, where adherence is critical. The charity Bipolar UK has reported that patients moved off stable medicines have experienced relapses. The government says it is reviewing national stockpiles and preparing a new industrial strategy to support long-term domestic manufacturing.