Have you noticed higher prices or difficulty finding aspirin at your local pharmacy?

The price of aspirin has risen sharply across the UK after supply problems left many pharmacies struggling to restock.

One pharmacist said the cost of a standard box has jumped from around 38p to as much as £7.82 in some cases — an increase of more than 1,000%. Mo Kolia, superintendent pharmacist at Knights pharmacies in Redditch and Bromsgrove, said the rise was linked to ongoing supply chain issues affecting manufacturers and suppliers.

According to the National Pharmacy Association, the problem is widespread. In a recent survey, 86% of pharmacies said they had been unable to supply aspirin to patients. As a result, many pharmacies are now reserving remaining stock for people with urgent medical needs or emergency prescriptions.

Aspirin is one of the most commonly prescribed medicines in the UK. Between January and October last year, more than 50 million items were prescribed, the NPA said. Patients who rely on a regular supply include those with a history of stroke, heart disease, chronic kidney disease, and diabetes.

Mr Kolia said suppliers had cited manufacturing difficulties, possibly linked to problems sourcing raw materials from Europe, although details have been limited. “We haven’t been told the specifics,” he said, “but we know there is certainly an issue with getting supplies into the UK.”

He added that the situation appears to be getting worse rather than better. “We had similar problems last year with penicillin,” he said. “Now we’ve been informed that another anti-coagulation medication, apixaban, is also going out of stock.”

The Department of Health and Social Care said it has measures in place to reduce disruption for patients and is working closely with suppliers and the NHS to manage shortages where they arise.

For now, pharmacists are advising patients not to panic-buy and to speak to their GP or pharmacist if they are struggling to obtain their usual medication, as alternatives may be available in some cases.

Have you noticed aspirin becoming harder to find.. or more expensive at your local pharmacy?!