Aspirin shortages across hospitals in England have raised concerns about medicine supply chains, emergency planning and the potential impact on patient care. A new analysis has highlighted gaps in contingency planning, prompting calls for the National Health Service (NHS) to strengthen its approach to securing essential medicines.
According to a report published by LBC on October 26, 2026, hospitals have experienced shortages of commonly prescribed medicines, including aspirin, co-codamol and ramipril. The findings have renewed questions about how effectively the NHS prepares for disruptions to essential drug supplies.
NHS Hospitals Report Widespread Aspirin Shortages
An analysis of Freedom of Information responses from 60 NHS trusts, conducted by researchers associated with University College London’s Global Business School for Health, found that 62% of responding trusts reported aspirin shortages between December 2025 and March 2026.
The same analysis found that 31% of responding trusts experienced disruptions involving co-codamol, a pain relief medicine, while 16% reported shortages of ramipril, which is commonly prescribed to treat high blood pressure and certain heart conditions.
Perhaps more concerning, 92% of the responding trusts said they did not have a formal contingency plan covering shortages of the three medicines. The findings suggest that hospitals may be vulnerable when supplies of widely used treatments become unreliable.
Why Aspirin Availability Matters
Aspirin is widely used for several medical purposes, including pain relief and, at low doses, the prevention of blood clots in selected patients. For people who have been prescribed aspirin to reduce their risk of a heart attack or stroke, maintaining access to treatment can be particularly important.
When hospitals cannot obtain their usual medicines, healthcare professionals may need to consider alternative products or adjust treatment arrangements. Although suitable alternatives can help maintain care, these changes can create additional work for clinical teams and require careful communication with patients.
The LBC article, written by medical supply chain expert Dr Rodolfo Catena, argues that shortages of common medicines deserve particular attention because they can affect large numbers of patients. The disruption is not limited to specialist treatments; it can involve medicines routinely used throughout the health service.
Gaps in Contingency Planning Raise Concerns
The analysis also highlighted weaknesses in how shortages are recorded and reported. According to Catena, four in five responding trusts had not reported a medicine shortage to NHS England during the preceding year.
Hospitals have attempted to manage disruptions by switching patients to different versions of medicines or paying higher prices to secure supplies. However, some trusts were unable to provide detailed records of how many patients had been affected by treatment changes.
Incomplete reporting can make it more difficult for national health authorities to understand the scale of a shortage and coordinate an effective response. Without reliable information, decision-makers may struggle to identify where supplies are most urgently needed.
Global Supply Chains Add to the Challenge
Medicine availability depends on complex international supply chains involving manufacturers, raw materials, transportation networks and distribution systems. Trade disputes, geopolitical conflicts and disruptions along major shipping routes can all create uncertainty for pharmaceutical suppliers.
When hospitals depend heavily on a limited number of suppliers, problems at one point in the supply chain can have consequences across multiple healthcare facilities.
The report argues that the NHS needs to move beyond responding to shortages after they occur. Better forecasting, stronger supplier relationships and appropriate reserve stock could help hospitals prepare for potential disruptions before they affect patients.
Calls for Stronger NHS Procurement Strategies
Catena has called for changes to how medicines are purchased, arguing that procurement decisions should place greater emphasis on reliability rather than focusing primarily on price.
A procurement system that considers suppliers’ delivery records, manufacturing locations and ability to maintain reserve supplies could help strengthen resilience. Hospitals could also establish minimum stock levels for high-volume medicines and improve their records of substitutions made during shortages.
These measures would require coordination between NHS trusts, pharmaceutical manufacturers and government departments. Building a more resilient supply chain would take time, but improved preparation could reduce the need for emergency responses when supplies become limited.
The UK Department of Health and Social Care has identified medicine supply resilience as a priority, according to the LBC report. However, the latest findings highlight the importance of translating that objective into practical measures across the health service.
What the Shortages Mean for Patients
The reported shortages do not mean that every NHS hospital is without aspirin or that all patients will experience interruptions to their treatment. The figures reflect the experiences of the trusts that responded to the information request and should not be interpreted as a nationwide count of affected patients.
Nevertheless, the findings raise important questions about preparedness and communication. Patients who are unable to obtain a prescribed medicine should contact their pharmacist or healthcare professional for advice rather than stopping treatment or changing their dosage independently.
As pressure on healthcare services continues, reliable access to essential medicines remains a fundamental part of patient safety. The aspirin supply disruption provides a reminder that effective planning, transparent reporting and dependable supplier relationships are crucial to keeping routine treatments available when patients need them.