England NHS trusts report shortages of aspirin, co-codamol and ramipril, FOI analysis finds

On 29 September 2026 The Guardian reported that dozens of NHS trusts in England have faced shortages of commonly used medicines — notably aspirin, the painkiller co-codamol (paracetamol plus codeine), and the antihypertensive ramipril — according to freedom-of-information requests analysed by Dr Rodolfo Catena of University College London.

What the FOI responses showed

Sixty of 184 trusts contacted responded. Of 42 trusts that answered about aspirin, 26 (62%) reported supply disruption between December 2025 and March 2026. Thirteen of 42 (31%) reported co-codamol shortages; seven of 43 (16%) reported ramipril shortfalls. Nine trusts had problems with two of the three drugs; Kent Community Health NHS Trust reported shortages of all three. Almost all responding trusts (92%) said they had no contingency plan for supply problems, and 82% said they had not reported scarcities to NHS England. Catena argued NHS England’s operational risk register understates the issue by scoring medicine shortages as only a “medium” risk (16/25).

Official response and limits of the evidence

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson told The Guardian the department is aware ramipril is in limited supply, has issued serious shortage protocols so patients can still obtain needed medication, and is working with suppliers on co-codamol and aspirin; the spokesperson said the vast majority of licensed UK medicines remain in good supply. This report is based on partial FOI responses (not all trusts replied) covering specific periods and three medicines — it is not a complete national inventory. This article is not personal medical advice; patients facing supply issues should ask a pharmacist or clinician about suitable alternatives.