A warning over the supply of ramipril, a blood pressure medication taken by around six million people in the UK, has been extended to October 30. The Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) currently in place for ramipril 1.25 mg capsules remains active, with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) recently extending the shortage warning.
Millions affected by ongoing ramipril shortage
Ramipril is the nation's most-prescribed blood pressure medication. Data show that over 35 million items of ramipril are dispensed each year, averaging about 3 million per month. However, concerns remain regarding shortages of the drug.
Olivier Picard, Chair of the National Pharmacy Association (NPA), said: "We are concerned by this ongoing shortage, which is one of many shortages of medicines that pharmacies and their patients have had to grapple with in recent years."
Pharmacists call for substitution powers
The SSP allows pharmacists to limit supply to one month. It also allows for a reduced quantity of ramipril 1.25mg capsules to be supplied for fewer than the number of days prescribed on the original prescription.
Mr Picard is urging the Government to allow pharmacists to make appropriate substitutions to ramipril prescriptions. This would prevent patients from having to return to their GP for an alternative.
He added: "Millions of patients rely on ramipril, and although there are alternative medicines available, supplies of these must be managed carefully by the Government to ensure subsequent demand can be met."
NHS advises on ramipril use
Mr Picard also highlighted the wider issue: "Whilst the medicine supply chain is complex, the rising problem of shortages across a wide range of medication is extremely worrying for patients and heartbreaking for pharmacists who go to great lengths to ensure they don’t turn them away."
"Fragility in the global supply chain is worsened by international instability, and this new government must convene an urgent task force to fully address this chronic problem."
The NHS said: "Ramipril is a medicine widely used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure. It's also prescribed after a heart attack. Ramipril helps prevent future strokes, heart attacks and kidney problems. It works by widening your blood vessels and making it easier for your heart to pump blood around your body. This medicine is available on prescription. It comes as tablets, capsules and as a liquid that you swallow for people who find it difficult to swallow tablets."
