Ramipril UK shortage latest with October supply limit for blood pressure medicine

Ramipril UK shortage latest with October supply limit for blood pressure medicine Supply is expected to remain limited until the end of October Common blood pressure medicine ramipril still faces a shortage across the UK, with supply limited until at least the end of October 2026. Below is a look at the latest information as the shortage remains ongoing, as of Tuesday, September 22, 2026. Patients across the UK taking the medication are being urged to check their prescriptions early. Health officials confirm that a widespread supply shortage is expected to persist until at least the end of next month. Patients are being urged to "speak to their pharmacy team" if they are facing difficulties. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) first issued the alert on September 7. The tier 2 'medium impact' medicine supply notification warns that all strengths of ramipril capsules - including 1.25mg, 2.5mg, 5mg, and 10mg - are currently facing severely limited availability. A statement on Community Pharmacy England reads: "Ramipril 1.25mg, 2.5mg, 5mg and 10mg capsules are in limited supply until the end of October 2026. Ramipril 1.25mg, 2.5mg, 5mg and 10mg tablets remain available but cannot support uplift in demand." To manage the supply crunch, the government has active emergency measures, including a Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP087) specifically targeting Ramipril 1.25mg capsules. Under this protocol, pharmacists are legally authorised to ration the medication, limiting patients to a maximum of one month’s supply at a time. This rule applies even if a GP has written a prescription intended to last for two or three months, ensuring that remaining stocks are shared equitably among patients. Patients affected by these quantity reductions under the protocol will not face additional NHS prescription charges for the adjusted supply. Community Pharmacy England adds: "Alternative ACE inhibitors and ARBs remain available; however, routine switching is not recommended as usage is significantly lower than that of ramipril, so could risk compromising other supply chains." Healthcare professionals are advising patients not to panic but to take proactive steps. Patients should request refills a week or two earlier than usual rather than waiting until their medication completely runs out. Anil Sharma, a committee member and regional representative for the East of England at Community Pharmacy England, said: "Community pharmacies can sometimes experience difficulties obtaining medicines, including commonly prescribed medicines. If a pharmacy is having difficulty obtaining a medicine, patients should speak to their pharmacy team, who can explain what is happening and discuss the options available to them. "Our patient leaflet provides further information about medicine supply issues and what patients can do if they are having difficulty obtaining their medicines: Where's my medicine? – Community Pharmacy England." If a specific strength or capsule form is unavailable at a local pharmacy, pharmacists and GPs are working together to transition patients to alternative options. These alternatives may include switching from capsules to tablets, adjusting doses by using different strengths, or transitioning to other blood pressure medications in the same family, such as lisinopril or enalapril. Patients switching formulations are reminded to monitor their blood pressure closely and consult their doctor if they experience symptoms like dizziness or light-headedness during the transition. Speak to your GP or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns. Back in April this year, a medicine supply notification and a serious shortage protocol were issued due to a shortage of ramipril 1.25mg capsules. The advice for those remains live on the NHS medicines supply tool. Pharmacists across all four nations are authorised to limit the dispensing of Ramipril 1.25mg capsules to a maximum of one month’s supply at a time to protect the national stock pool. Community Pharmacy England says: "A Medicine Supply Notification (MSN) and Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) were issued in April 2026 for the shortage of ramipril 1.25mg capsules and the advice remains live on the Medicine Supply Tool."