GPs told not to start new patients on co-codamol tablets amid national shortage

clubfoto/Getty Images

By Lily Canter

GPs have been advised not to start new patients on co-codamol 30mg/500mg tablets due to a national shortage of the painkiller.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has issued guidance telling prescribers to avoid initiating anyone on the tablets until the supply problem is resolved, and to consider other options where appropriate.

According to the DHSC medicines supply notification, the shortage began this month and is expected to continue until at least June.

With stock constrained, the government has moved to protect supplies, including banning exports and hoarding of the medicine from 28 January.

The DHSC notification said: “Healthcare professionals should not initiate new patients on co-codamol 30mg/500mg tablets until the supply issues have resolved.
“Where patients have insufficient supply to last until the re-supply date, prescribers should review pain control to determine if treatment is still required, and if the decision is made to stop treatment, avoid abrupt cessation of therapy.”