Overview
- Industry leaders warn the UK could run short of some medicines within weeks if transport disruption linked to the Iran war continues.
- Key Gulf air corridors and the Strait of Hormuz have faced shutdowns and restrictions, forcing rerouting around Africa that adds about two weeks and significant fuel costs.
- UK distributors typically hold six to eight weeks of supply, and suppliers to English hospitals must hold eight weeks, leaving limited cushion if delays persist.
- Air freight rates have roughly doubled and about one in five NHS medicines arrives by air, raising the risk that low‑margin generics become uneconomic to supply.
- Pharmacy groups report growing gaps in common drugs such as blood‑pressure pills, painkillers, antidepressants and HRT, while the UK government and New Zealand’s Pharmac say they see no widespread shortages and are monitoring closely.