Prescription Out of Stock? Here's What to Do

Step 1: Ask Your Pharmacist for Details

Before leaving the pharmacy, ask specific questions:

• "Is this a temporary issue or a known shortage?" — There's a big difference between a delayed delivery and a nationwide shortage
• "When do you expect new stock?" — It might be arriving tomorrow
• "Can you check other wholesalers?" — Pharmacies often use multiple suppliers
• "Is there a Serious Shortage Protocol active?" — An SSP allows them to give you an approved alternative immediately

Step 2: Check If an SSP Is Active

Serious Shortage Protocols are issued by the DHSC when a medicine is officially in short supply. An active SSP means your pharmacist can legally supply an approved alternative without you needing a new prescription from your GP. This saves time and ensures you get treated promptly.

You can check active SSPs on the NHSBSA website or through MedWatch's shortage tracker.

Step 3: Try Other Pharmacies

Stock levels vary enormously between pharmacies, even ones a few miles apart. Different pharmacies use different wholesalers, and stock allocations vary.

• Call before visiting — save yourself the trip
• Try independent pharmacies — they sometimes have different supply chains from the big chains
• Check supermarket pharmacies — Asda, Tesco, and Sainsbury's pharmacies may have stock
• Consider online pharmacies — regulated online pharmacies may have different stock
• Hospital pharmacies — some dispense outpatient prescriptions and have separate supply lines

Use our pharmacy finder by location to identify options near you.

Step 4: Request an Emergency Supply

Under NHS regulations, pharmacists can provide an emergency supply of most prescription medicines without a prescription. The rules are:

• The pharmacist must be satisfied there is an immediate need
• The medicine must have been previously prescribed for you
• The supply is limited to the minimum quantity needed (usually up to 30 days, or the smallest pack size)
• A charge may apply (usually the normal prescription charge plus a small fee)
• Controlled drugs have more restrictive emergency supply rules

Step 5: Contact Your GP

If the shortage is expected to last more than a few days, contact your GP surgery. They can:

• Prescribe a therapeutic alternative (a different medicine that treats the same condition)
• Adjust your dose to a strength that's available
• Issue a new prescription specifying a different brand
• Provide clinical guidance on whether it's safe to briefly pause your medication

See our guide on what to ask your GP →

Step 6: Use MedWatch to Track the Shortage

Search our shortage tracker to see if your medicine has a known supply issue. You'll find:

• Current shortage status
• Expected resolution dates
• Alternative options
• Links to official DHSC information

Step 7: Know Your Rights

As an NHS patient, you have rights when medicine is unavailable:

• You should never be charged more than the standard prescription charge for an alternative supplied under an SSP
• Pharmacists must make reasonable efforts to source your medicine
• You're entitled to an emergency supply if you have immediate need
• Your GP must provide clinical support if an alternative medication is needed
• You can complain if you believe the service you've received is inadequate

Full guide to your rights →

Step 8: Set Up Alerts to Stay Ahead

The best way to avoid being caught out by shortages is early warning. MedWatch's free alert service notifies you the moment your medication faces supply issues, giving you time to act before you run out.

What NOT to Do

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