Medicine shortages are 'beyond critical' at pharmacies - have you been affected? Take our poll

It's getting harder and harder to find the medicine we need from pharmacies, with dwindling stock forcing customers to flit from shop to shop.

Some are even having to 'ration' their drugs, health leaders warn, as a new poll finds shortages are a 'daily occurence' for chemists up and down the country. Trade body Community Pharmacy England says medication for epilepsy, ADHD and diabetes are among those currently affected.

Shortages are 'wreaking havoc' on patients, according to its survey of more than 6,000 pharmacies and 2,000 staff. Almost all respondents (97 per cent) said patients were being inconvenienced, while a sizeable 79 per cent said the situation was a risk to health.

Incredibly, 98 per cent were having to give out effective 'IOUs' where only part of the prescription can be fulfilled. The same percentage reported supply issues were a regular occurence, with 72 per cent experiencing 'multiple issues a day'.

The Nuffield Trust thinktank says drug shortages more than doubled between 2020 and 2023, with Brexit likely to 'significantly weaken' the country's ability to cope with the spiralling problem, which has been a growing concern in Europe and the US in recent years.

If you can't see the poll, click here

Supply chains to the UK have been mired in complication since we left the EU, with drug makers facing increased regulation and custom checks at borders. A continuingly weakening pound post-Brexit has also made it more costly for the NHS to buy medicines.

Janet Morrison, of Community Pharmacy England, says the supply issues were 'beyond critical' and an 'ongoing battle' for pharmacies. She said: "Patients with a wide range of clinical and therapeutic needs are being affected on a daily basis and this is going far beyond inconvenience, leading to frustration, anxiety and affecting their health".

"For some patients, not having access to the medicines they need could lead to very serious consequences, even leaving them needing to visit A&E."

National Pharmacy Association's Paul Rees has since urged the government "to sort out the UK's fragile medicines supply system, so that pharmacies can do their job and patients can get their lifesaving medicines in time". The Department of Health and Social Care has so far not commented.

Have you been affected by pharmacy shortages? Take our poll above and have your say in the comments below.