Medicine Shortages
Community Pharmacy continue to face operational, financial and workforce challenges which are leading to unplanned temporary closures and risks to the long- term sustainability of Community Pharmacies.
This has been caused by several factors including systemic pharmacy funding cuts, workforce issues growing staff costs, rising energy bills, inflationary pressures, and increasing instances of dispensing medicines at a loss due to market and pricing issues.
In addition, medication shortages are currently causing a significant impact on patients, Community Pharmacy, General Practice, and wider NHS stakeholders.
It is recommended that Community Pharmacy and General Practice maintain open communication channels and work together to resolve any issues minimise any impact on patient care and ensure continued access to medicines. The GM GP Pharmacy interface principles can be found here
The GM ICS has also developed local guidance and information for specific therapy areas to support the management of Medicines shortages which can be found below:
GM Pathway for PERT Shortage (2025)
NHS Greater Manchester have now published the GM Pathway for Management of the PERT Shortage. The guidance includes how to manage different patient groups, actions for community pharmacists and a list of key resources.
CPGM guidance
Medicines Shortages: Supporting Patients and General Practice
Medicine shortages are now a daily challenge across community pharmacy, with over 90% of pharmacy teams reporting regular supply issues. To help you in Supporting Patients and General Practice, we’ve produced a short briefing with tops tips relating to how pharmacy teams can help. Click the link above to read this in full.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and NHS England have also published new leaflets and posters relating to the ongoing medicine supply challenges. These resources include guidance for healthcare teams and information for patients affected by shortages.
CPE guidance and supporting information
Medicine Shortages – Community Pharmacy England (cpe.org.uk)
Worsening medicine shortages linked to Brexit and more – Community Pharmacy England (cpe.org.uk)
Our response to BGMA report on medicines supply issues – Community Pharmacy England (cpe.org.uk)
A national MP CPE briefing on Medicines Shortages can be found here
Local guidance
In order to support you a letter has been written including guidance on how to deal with these current pressures and support patients during stock shortages
Stock Shortages Guidance for Pharmacies and GP practices – (summary document)
