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

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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.”

The supply notification lists potential alternatives:

• Paracetamol 500mg tablets remain available and can support a full uplift in demand

• Codeine 30mg tablets remain available and can support a partial uplift in demand

• Co-codamol 30mg/500mg capsules remain available and can support a partial uplift in demand from mid-April 2026

• Co-codamol 30mg/500mg effervescent tablets remain available but cannot support an uplift in demand

• Other strengths and forms of co-codamol remain available but cannot support an uplift in demand

• Co-dydramol 30mg/500mg and 20mg/500mg tablets remain available but cannot support an uplift in demand.

The issue comes amid broader concern about medicines shortages in the UK. A House of Lords Public Services Committee report recently described medicine shortages as a “national security issue”. It also called for clearer communication to GPs so practices can plan care and support patients more effectively.

The government said it is looking to introduce a new system to enable GPs to be able to see medicine shortages in real time later this year.

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