Pharmacy owner Mo Almobaraki has raised the alarm for millions of UK patients relying on statins, warning that the country is experiencing its most severe drug shortage on record. The 57-year-old, who operates two pharmacies, said it has become "increasingly difficult to obtain very basic medicine" including aspirin, cardiac treatments, and blood pressure tablets.
Cost of Statins Surges Overnight
Almobaraki disclosed that just last week, the cost of a statin medication—prescribed to reduce cholesterol—surged "overnight" from £1 to £22. He noted that beta blockers, cardiovascular drugs, HRT (hormone replacement therapy), and Creon (for pancreatic insufficiency) are all proving challenging to procure. The shortage has left him "so concerned" about patient safety.
Olivia Picard, chair of the National Pharmacy Association (NPA), which represents 6,000 independent community pharmacies, has cautioned that medicine shortages are currently "some of the most severe the UK has ever experienced."
Pharmacies Absorb Financial Losses
With approximately five million people in England prescribed statins, Almobaraki explained that pharmacies are forced to pay inflated prices for drugs while NHS reimbursement rates remain static. "Either we refuse to give it to the patients because we are unable to obtain it, or if we are able to obtain it we have to pay extra, above the reimbursements from the NHS," he said. This deficit "will incur a loss for the pharmacy so we are actually working in the negative."
He added: "If we can't get it, that will have an impact on patient safety. The patient is either left without medication or the patient has to run around between different pharmacies."
Impact on Elderly Patients
Almobaraki, a pharmacist of 26 years, highlighted the strain on elderly patients: "People are worried about their medication—elderly people—and they can't get it. It's just so difficult and so concerning." He noted that the shortage has been worsening since the pandemic, not just recently.
Serious Shortage Protocols in Place
Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) have been in place for Creon since May 2024, extended by the NHS in April until July 10, 2026. Estradot, an HRT medication, has had an SSP since December 2024, also extended to July 10. These measures allow pharmacists to substitute alternative treatments when necessary.
Pharmacy First Scheme Adds Pressure
Almobaraki said his business is being "squeezed really hard on both sides"—not only from drug shortages but also from the Pharmacy First scheme launched in early 2024. This initiative allows NHS pharmacies to prescribe for minor conditions, increasing demand for medicines that are already scarce.
He called on the government to "step in in terms of availability and negotiate a better deal with wholesalers," adding: "At pharmacy level, I don't know what's created that shortage of medicine."
Government Response
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "The overwhelming majority of medicines licensed in the UK are in good supply and patients should know that when visiting the pharmacy, their prescriptions will be available. Ensuring there is robust supply of medicines is vital and this government is making significant investments in the UK medicine manufacturing industry to strengthen it."
