PHARMACISTS are being forced to ration supplies of a life-saving blood pressure medication amid a major shortage.
The Government has issued a serious shortage notice for the drug ramipril, warning patients can now only get one month’s worth of the 1.25mg capsules at a time.
The Government has issued a shortage warning for 1.25mg capsules of Ramipril, a common blood pressure medication Credit: Rex Features
High blood pressure is described as a silent killer because it usually doesn’t cause any symptoms Credit: Getty
The medication, which can be taken as tablets, capsules or as a liquid, is taken by hundreds of thousands of people across the UK.
Last year, it was ranked within the top five most dispensed by pharmacies in , prescribing it over 35 million times.
The medication works by widening the blood vessels and making it easier for the heart to pump blood around the body.
Olivier Picard, chair of the National Pharmacy Association told : “We are concerned by this recent shortage, with a number of pharmacies being unable to order some strengths of Ramipril as well as seeing the cost soar in recent weeks, in instances where stock can be found.
It comes as drugs manufacturers and health leaders including Sir Jim Mackey, chief executive of NHS England warned the Middle East war could exacerbate medicines shortages Credit: MHP Group/John Nguyen
“Millions of patients rely on Ramipril and although there are alternative medicines available, supplies of these must be managed carefully by the government to ensure subsequent demand can be met.
“Pharmacies are increasingly facing supply problems affecting everyday medicines on which millions rely every day.
“Whilst the supply chain is extremely complex, the rising problem of shortages across a wide range of medication is extremely worrying for patients and heartbreaking for pharmacists who go to great lengths to ensure they don’t turn them away.
It comes as health experts of common prescription drugs as well as vital cancer medications if a deal isn’t struck to the the Middle East war.
Pharmacy leaders and medicines wholesalers said several manufacturers were “receiving only around a quarter of their usual volumes due to the conflict in Iran”.
Olivier added: “Fragility in the global supply chain is worsened by international instability and the fact that long term underfunding of pharmacies has driven down the price for medicines in the UK to unsustainable levels.”
Dr Leyla Hannbeck, CEO of Independent Pharmacies Association, also told : “We are increasingly seeing more medicines being in short supply.
“In the past couple of months we have had a record number of medicines, over 200, going up in price which means there is serious medicines shortages and instability in the market.
“The closure of the Strait of Hormuz is going to make this worse over the coming weeks.”
In February, a House of Lords committee report also concluded that medicines shortages in the UK is a national security issue that should be given more priority.
High blood pressure or hypertension, as it is known medically, affects a third of adults and dramatically raises the risk of heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure and even .
Because it causes no symptoms, many go undiagnosed until serious damage is done. Yet caught early, these outcomes are preventable.
An estimated 14 million UK adults now live with high blood pressure – a figure that’s steadily rising.
Despite the widespread belief that hypertension is an old-age problem, doctors are increasingly treating younger generations.
data shows a quarter of young adults with hypertension aren’t getting it under control, compared with one in seven older patients.
How to lower blood pressure
Persistent high blood pressure - known as hypertension - puts extra strain on your blood vessels, heart and other organs and it can raise your risk of serious conditions like heart disease, heart attacks and stroke. Here's how to reduce it.
Reduce salt
Adults are recommended to limit their salt to 6g per day (around one level teaspoon) to avoid health consequences including high blood pressure.
The top tip is to swap out table salt, according to the Salt Substitute and Stroke Study, replacing it with a reduced sodium and added potassium alternative.
Cut down on alcohol
Excessive boozing can narrow the blood vessels, which raises the risk of hypertension.
Official drinking guidelines advise that people should not regularly drink more than 14 units a week to keep health risks from alcohol low.
Get moving
Exercise is good for the heart and the blood vessels.
Although the guidelines recommend 150 minutes of activity per week, if you’re currently very inactive, just a walk to the shop every day is better than nothing, and you can work up from there.
Studies suggest that isometric exercises – when you hold the body in one position without moving, such as a wall squat or plank – are best for lowering blood pressure.
Stop smoking
Smoking cigarettes is a killer. It makes the arteries sticky and narrow, which can cause blockages.
While smoking is not a direct cause of high blood pressure, it can cause an instant rise to pressure, heart rate and reduce the amount of oxygen that gets to the body’s cells.
Skip coffee
Sadly, caffeine can cause a short, but dramatic increase in your blood pressure – even if you don’t have high blood pressure.
Therefore cutting back on coffee is recommended as a lifestyle tip for those with hypertension.
Lose weight
The above tips can help you to lose weight, which is beneficial because being overweight in itself is a risk factor for hypertension.
Being overweight forces your heart to work harder to pump blood around your body, which can raise your blood pressure.
The only way of knowing whether you have high blood pressure is to have a blood pressure test. All adults over 40 years old are advised to have their blood pressure checked at least every five years.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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