Current Active Shortages
Diamorphine 5mg, 10mg and 100mg powder for solution for injection ampoules
High DHSC MSNLearn more about community pharmacy Contact Us Search Suggestions ...
Paracetamol 240mg suppositories
Serious Shortage NHSBSA SSPSerious Shortage Protocol active for Paracetamol 240mg suppositories (PDF:142KB). Pharmacists may supply alternatives without GP referral.
Expected resolution: 17 Mar 2023
Paracetamol 120mg suppositories
Serious Shortage NHSBSA SSPSerious Shortage Protocol active for Paracetamol 120mg suppositories (PDF:143KB). Pharmacists may supply alternatives without GP referral.
Expected resolution: 16 Feb 2023
Paracetamol 120mg suppositories
Serious Shortage NHSBSA SSPSerious Shortage Protocol active for Paracetamol 120mg suppositories (PDF:139KB). Pharmacists may supply alternatives without GP referral.
Expected resolution: 31 May 2022
Paracetamol 120mg and 240mg suppositories
Serious Shortage NHSBSA SSPSerious Shortage Protocol active for Paracetamol 120mg and 240mg suppositories (PDF:124KB). Pharmacists may supply alternatives without GP referral.
Expected resolution: 25 Jan 2022
Co-codamol 30mg/500mg tablets
High DHSC MSNLearn more about community pharmacy Contact Us Search Suggestions ...
Apomorphine hydrochloride (APO-go® PFS) 50mg/10ml solution for infusion pre-filled syringes
medium DHSC MSNLearn more about community pharmacy Contact Us Search Suggestions ...
Expected resolution: April 2025
What to Do If Your Medication Is Affected
- Contact your GP or pain clinic if your usual medication is unavailable
- Ask about alternative strengths or formulations
- Never take more than prescribed of any remaining supply
- Consider non-pharmacological pain management while supplies are disrupted
- Pharmacists may be able to split packs or source from alternative suppliers
How MedWatch Helps
MedWatch monitors official UK government data sources daily, including DHSC Medicine Supply Notifications and NHSBSA Serious Shortage Protocols. We alert you before your pharmacy runs out — giving you time to plan ahead with your GP or pharmacist.
Our service is completely free for individual patients. Sign up, add your medications, and we'll email you the moment a shortage affects you.
This page is automatically updated when new shortage data is published. Last checked: 8 February 2026.