Aspirin shortage reported amid Brexit uncertainty

Community pharmacists have reported aspirin shortages amid Brexit uncertainty, MPs have heard.

Shadow health secretary Jon Ashworth said such information was anecdotal rather than based on national reporting after citing shortages of other medicines.

Mr Ashworth’s remarks came as Labour sought to revoke the Human Medicines (Amendment) Regulations 2019, which relates to managing medicine supplies in the event of a shortage.

He voiced concerns over the changes to enable ministers to order that pharmacists alter or change prescriptions to preserve drug supplies if there is a serious shortage.

Health minister Jackie Doyle-Price argued the regulations would apply in any case and not just a no-deal Brexit, adding they would also minimise demand on GPs and risk to patients.

She added a protocol would be “very tightly drafted” and thus would limit the ability of the pharmacist when it comes to making changes to the prescription.

Speaking during the debate, Labour’s David Drew told the Commons: “I’m already getting reports back that certain medicines are in short supply and patients are being advised to go back to their GPs to see if there are alternatives because somebody somewhere is stockpiling and there’s not the flow through.”

Mr Ashworth replied: “I’ve heard from community pharmacists directly that there’s been a shortage of aspirin.”