London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Wednesday, Apr 02, 2025

Cold medicine shortage blamed on lack of government planning

Pharmacies say a lack of government planning is behind a shortage of cough and cold medicines in shops.
The Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies said its members report a scarcity of "all medicines", in particular cough mixtures and lozenges.

Flu and Covid cases have put pressure on the NHS and pharmacies said there should have been "better" communication with manufacturers.

Ministers said availability issues were "temporary and localised".

"We are engaging with suppliers to investigate and help ensure that over-the-counter cold and flu medicines remain available," a Department of Health spokesperson added.

Meanwhile, medicine manufacturers say there are no production issues.

But Leyla Hannbeck, chief executive of the AIMP, said there were wider logistical challenges and high demand for medicines to treat cold and flu symptoms this winter has meant the supply chain has not been able to keep up with demand.

Department of Health officials should have recognised "there are problems and communicate better" with suppliers and manufacturers, she added,

"For example, with cold and flu, we knew some months ago cases were going up... So you would have thought that plans would have been in place in terms of managing this with regards to liaising with manufacturers and getting the products in."

Ms Hannbeck told the BBC: "We have never seen this level of shortage of medicine before."

She said she did not want to create panic and urged people not to stockpile supplies, but said it was important to "raise these concerns".

"As pharmacists, we do everything we can to ensure we support patients in every way possible and try and sort alternatives, or give advice on how to manage cold and flu symptoms," she said.

About one in eight hospital beds in England are now occupied by patients with Covid and flu.

Health Secretary Steve Barclay has said such patients are putting "massive pressure" on services and the NHS was facing huge challenges. He said the government was providing extra funding to help.

The trade association representing the manufactures of over-the-counter medicines said companies were running at "maximum capacity" to meet demand and "not reporting any issues supplying" their products.

Michelle Riddalls, chief executive of the Proprietary Association of Great Britain, said: "While some cough or cold products may be less readily available at some stores this is likely to be very sporadic and there are no reports of widespread shortages."

She said urged customers who cannot find their preferred brand to try alternative products or to speak to pharmacists.

High Street pharmacists Boots and Superdrug also said patients who were unable to find their preferred products should speak with their staff.

Superdrug said it had seen a huge demand for cough and cold medicines.

A spokesperson for Boots said: "General availability of cough and cold relief at our stores across the UK is good, and enough to meet current demand.

"There may be temporary shortages in some stores of a particular brand, eg Lemsip, but there will almost always be suitable alternatives available."
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Europe Pursues Digital Autonomy Amidst Transatlantic Strains
OpenAI Lands Unprecedented $40 Billion Funding.
Charity Chairwoman Accuses Prince Harry of Bullying and Harassment
DOGE revealed that USAID provided $84 million to the Clinton Foundation. Of this amount, $3 million was spent on Chelsea Clinton's wedding, and $10 million was used to acquire a lavish mansion.
The State Department has announced the formal closure of USAID.
Apple's Innovation Deficit: Falling Behind in AI and Foldable Technology as Chinese Developments Progress
President Trump Proposes Military Intervention to Obtain Greenland
Passenger Taken into Custody After Engaging in Masturbation on SWISS Air Flight
Barcelona player Dani Alves found not guilty of rape accusations.
PUTIN'S LIMOUSINE DETONATES—SECURITY CHAOS ENSUES
French Foreign Ministry Denounces U.S. Interference in Corporate Diversity Initiatives
Copyright Issues Emerge as AI-Generated Studio Ghibli Images Gain Popularity
This is what we refer to as CREATIVITY.
Removing the Political Opponent Means Dismissing the Remnants of Turkey's Economy.
Malaysia Strengthens Semiconductor Regulations in Response to U.S. Pressure to Restrict AI NVIDIA Chip Exports to China.
OpenAI Launches New Image Generation Tool for ChatGPT
Ex-FIFA President and French Football Icon Acquitted of Corruption Allegations
National Security Advisor Mike Waltz Under Investigation After Journalist Added to Secret Military Chat
Ex-Business Partner of Hunter Biden Discusses Possible Pardon from President Trump
U.S. Attorney General Announces Task Force to Prosecute Government Fraud
American Brands Face Consumer Boycott in Europe Amid Escalating Trade and Political Tensions
White House Investigates Security Breach After Journalist Accidentally Added to Secret Yemen Strike Chat
Samsung Executive Han Jong-hee Dies Suddenly Amid Ongoing Corporate Challenges
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has just signed off on a national debt hike to fast-track Germany’s militarization
Heathrow Airport Restarts Services as Investigation into Power Outage Commences
Pope Francis Released from Hospital Following Pneumonia Treatment
Pope Francis Appears in Public for the First Time in Five Weeks After His Hospital Stay
Usha Vance to Head U.S. Delegation During Greenland Visit Amid Discussions on Annexation
Trump suggests US could join British Commonwealth if offered by King Charles
Elon Musk Files Lawsuit Against Jamaal Bowman for Defamatory Remarks
European Countries to Boost Defense Expenditures in Response to Changes in U.S. Assistance
Iconic Boxer George Foreman Dies at 76
European Airline Shares Fall Following Disruption from Heathrow Power Outage
Pope Francis Set to Leave Hospital Following Recovery from Pneumonia
Thousands Take to the Streets in Amsterdam to Protest Racism and Fascism
Revealing the Electromagnetic Characteristics of the Great Pyramid of Giza
President Trump Cancels Security Clearances for Notable Political Figures.
The Development of China's Automotive Sector
Netanyahu Dismisses Shin Bet Chief Amid 'Loss of Trust' and 'Qatargate' Corruption Investigations Involving Netanyahu's Advisors
UK Conservatives Remain Optimistic Despite Polling Challenges
Labour MPs Unveil Initiative to Combat Harmful Influencers and Advocate for Healthy Masculinity
Miami Beach Mayor Cancels Plan to Expel Cinema Following Documentary Showing
Thousands of Drones Illuminate the Sky in Honor of Trump.
Leaders of the US and Ukraine Participate in Constructive Call During Ongoing Conflict
Elon Musk's X Experiences Valuation Recovery to $44 billion.
UK Government Set to Implement Major Budget Cuts in Spring Statement
US Federal Reserve Downgrades Economic Growth Outlook Due to Tariff Uncertainty
EU Claims US Tech Giants Have Violated Digital Regulations
Canada Denounces the Execution of Its Citizens in China Amid Rising Tensions
European Union Moves Toward Joint Debt for Military Spending
×