Medicine shortages in community pharmacy

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Pharmacy guide

Dealing with medicine shortages in community pharmacy can be time-consuming and frustrating. So, here’s a guide to help you and your team that includes a flowchart, top tips and key principles.

Want to know about dealing with shortages in secondary care? See our best practice standards for this in England and Scotland.

First Published: 10 March 2020
Updated: 17 January 2024

Sections on this page

  • Principles
  • Assessing the situation
  • Flowchart
  • Top tips on assessing the situation
  • Suggesting suitable alternatives to the prescriber
  • Top tips for suggesting suitable alternatives to the prescriber
  • Contacting the prescriber and practice
  • Top tips for contacting the prescriber and practice
  • Further information

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