Aspirin Shortages: Prices Rise Across the UK

Pharmacies across the UK are grappling with severe aspirin shortages, forcing healthcare providers to ration supplies of a medication that could prove critical for patients at risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Manufacturing delays have pushed prices to unprecedented levels, leaving chemists unable to meet demand whilst facing substantial financial losses on every packet dispensed.

The crisis has prompted the UK Government to add aspirin to its export ban list, a move designed to protect dwindling domestic stocks.

However, industry leaders warn this represents merely a short-term fix to what appears to be a systemic problem affecting the nation's pharmaceutical supply chain.

Pharmacists forced to ration supplies

Both the National Pharmacy Association (NPA), which represents 6,000 pharmacies, and the Independent Pharmacies Association, representing more than 5,000 members, have reported widespread difficulties in sourcing the drug.

The shortage affects all formulations, though low-dose 75 mg aspirin has emerged as the primary concern.

A snap survey of 540 UK pharmacies conducted by the NPA found that 86% reported being unable to supply aspirin to patients during the previous week.

Several pharmacies have stopped over-the-counter sales entirely, prioritising patients with emergency prescriptions or severe heart conditions.

Aspirin functions as both a pain reliever for everyday ailments and as a critical intervention for cardiovascular emergencies.

The medication thins the blood and improves blood flow to the heart, making it recommended for patients suspecting a heart attack whilst awaiting an ambulance.

Olivier Picard, Chair of the NPA, says: "We're concerned about reports of pharmacies being unable to order in stocks of aspirin and the implications this might have for the patients they serve.

"For those pharmacies that can get hold of supply, costs will far exceed what they will be reimbursed by the National Health Service (NHS), yet more signs of a fundamentally broken pharmacy contract in desperate need of reform by the Government."

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Financial losses mounting for chemists

Manufacturing delays have triggered dramatic price increases.

A single packet of 75 mg dispersible tablets cost £0.18 (US$0.25) in 2024 but now faces prices of £3.90 (US$5.36).

According to the NPA, the NHS will only reimburse pharmacies £2.18 (US$3) per packet, meaning the average pharmacy loses £1.72 (US$2.37) each time the medication is dispensed.

Dr Leyla Hannbeck, Chief Executive of the Independent Pharmacies Association, explains: "These low stock levels are partly due to manufacturing delays, but also because pharmacies are simply unable to order the quantities they need.

"The reality is that the prices paid for many medicines by the NHS are so low that manufacturers often prioritise supplying other countries instead, leaving the UK pushed to the back of the queue.

“When limited stock becomes available then the prices shoot up to levels that become unaffordable for pharmacies to order and they are left severely out of pocket. It is vital that the government urgently reviews how medicines are reimbursed to pharmacies, otherwise these shortages will only worsen."

Systemic issues in supply chain

The aspirin crisis points towards broader supply chain vulnerabilities.

Mo Kolia, the Superintendent Pharmacist at Knights in Redditch and Bromsgrove, notes that such shortages are becoming increasingly common.

"Suppliers have said that they are having difficulty in manufacturing, it could be due to a difficulty in obtaining raw materials from Europe but we haven't been told the specifics," explains Mo.

"We had this problem in 2024 with penicillin, it's an ongoing issue but it's worsening. We've just been informed that another anti-coagulation medication, apixaban, is now going out of stock."

In July 2025, the Government stated it would invest £520m (US$715m) into life sciences manufacturing, which should allow the UK to manufacture more medicines in-country rather than relying on imports.

By investing in UK manufacturing supply chains, there could be a more stable medicines market with fewer disruptions.

The UK situation mirrors challenges facing healthcare systems globally.

A survey by Tecsys Inc. examining US-based hospital executives found that only 20% of healthcare leaders report full real-time visibility across inventory.

Alongside this, 79% said that drug shortages have been responsible for the majority of disruption to pharmacy operations between 2023 and 2025.