THE UK is facing a “distressing” shortage of co-codamol – a painkiller used by millions of Brits to treat severe pain every year, pharmacy experts have warned.
The is used to treat everything from pain and to , with about 1.25 million handed out every month, NHS figures suggest.
The UK is facing a shortage of co-codamolCredit: Alamy
“This is a distressing shortage,” Olivier Picard, Chair of the National Pharmacy Association (NPA), said.
“And pharmacists are trying their best to help patients manage severe pain. In some instances alternatives are being prescribed.”
It comes just weeks after pharmacists sounded the alarm over the shortage of another popular , also used by millions – .
The co-codamol shortage has hit the 30mg/500mg tablets, which are made from a combination of and the , the hardest.
This higher dose is only available on prescription, while a lower strength, which contains less codeine, can be bought over the counter.
“Where pharmacies have supplies, they will be doing all they can to manage them to ensure patients get the medication they need,” Olivier added.
When one strength runs low, it often has a knock-on effect on the alternative doses too.
Dr Leyla Hannbeck, chief executive of the Independent Pharmacies Association, which represents around 5,000 pharmacies, said: “Co-codamol is a popular medicine for the treatment of pain and whilst there are other painkillers available to substitute with, the increasing shortages of medicines are causing a lot of inconvenience for patients and healthcare providers and in some cases are delaying treatment.”
Supplies have been tight since January and are not expected to improve until June, according to the Department of Health and Social Care.
Major drug shortages widespread
Medications for , , , , anaesthetics and have had persistent or recurring shortages globally in recent years.
In the UK, there are 124 drugs in short supply , down from 142 in February 2025, according to a tracker published by MIMS, an industry reference guide.
In January this year, the NPA said 86 per cent of the pharmacies it surveyed had been unable to supply to patients.
Hundreds of thousands of Britons with , many of whom have already suffered, rely on aspirin to stop blood clots developing and prevent further issues.
The tablets are also prescribed to certain pregnant women to slash their .
Leyla said the shortages have also led to tensions at pharmacy counters, with some patients growing frustrated as they face delays in getting their medication.
“Pharmacists have also been subject to abuse by patients who are delayed in receiving their medicines, but shortages are outside of their control,” she said.
She added: “There is no sign that the medicine shortage problems are going to ease down this year as many popular medicines continue to be on the shortages list.
“This is concerning to us. Pharmacists are working hard to ensure patients get medicines on time and we are asking people to please be understanding that some things are outside of our control.”
Olivier said: “The government must urgently act to address a growing list of medicine shortages impacting patients and pharmacists alike, who end up at the sharp end of an increasingly difficult medicine supply system,” Olivier added.
“One thing they could easily do to is allow pharmacists to make simple, safe substitutions to prescriptions where an item is out of stock, and save patients having to return to their GP without medication.”
In the UK, pharmacists cannot offer patients substitutions for a prescribed medication, such as a different strength or formulation, without a new doctor’s prescription.
The government is looking into the possibility of changing this.
What is co-codamol?
Co-codamol is a mixture of 2 different painkillers – paracetamol and codeine.
It’s used to treat aches and pains including period pain, muscle pain and toothache.
It may help to take co-codamol if everyday painkillers, such as ibuprofen, aspirin or paracetamol on its own, have not worked.
This medicine comes as tablets and capsules, including soluble tablets that you dissolve in water.
Co-codamol tablets and capsules come in 3 strengths. You can buy the lowest strength from pharmacies but the higher strengths are only available on prescription.
For children and young people under 18 years old, read our information on co-codamol for children.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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