Pharmacy leaders have raised concerns about the continuing issue.
Senior woman measuring blood pressure (Image: Getty)
Millions of people taking a common blood pressure medication have been told that supplies will remain limited for weeks. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has extended its warning over shortages of ramipril, one of the UK’s most widely prescribed medicines. A notification issued on September 7 states that supplies of ramipril 1.25mg, 2.5mg, 5mg and 10mg capsules are expected to remain limited until the end of October 2026.
Ramipril is commonly prescribed to people with high blood pressure and heart failure, among other conditions. The drug was the fourth most dispensed medicine in England during the last financial year, with 36.3 million items dispensed. The DHSC has classified the shortage as a “tier 2 – medium impact” supply issue. While ramipril tablets remain available, the DHSC said supplies cannot support an increase in demand. Alternative medicines, including other ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers, are available.
Ramipril 1.25mg, 2.5mg, 5mg and 10mg capsules are in limited supply until the end of October 2026 (Image: Getty)
However, routine switching is not recommended because these alternatives are used much less frequently than ramipril, and a sudden rise in demand could put pressure on their supplies too.
The latest warning follows a shortage of 1.25mg ramipril capsules reported earlier this year.
A serious shortage protocol remains in place for the capsules, meaning that pharmacists can at times restrict supplies to one month’s worth.
The protocol also allows pharmacists to provide a reduced quantity compared with the number of days originally prescribed.
Pharmacy leaders have raised concerns about the continuing shortage.
Four recalls of ramipril products were issued by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency between February and May this year as precautionary measures.
Olivier Picard, chair of the National Pharmacy Association, warned that supplies of alternative medicines must be carefully managed.
Patients taking ramipril should not stop taking the medication or change their dose without speaking to a healthcare professional.
Anyone who is struggling to obtain their usual prescription should contact their pharmacist or GP for advice.