AQW 43555/22-27

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 31/03/2026
Answered On Date: 10/06/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health to detail any work he has untaken, in February and March 2026, to secure additional medicine stocks from UK stock-holdings to address the current surge in drug shortages.

Answer:

There are over 14,000 medicines licensed in the UK, and the majority are in good supply and are available in sufficient quantities to meet patient needs. However, medicines are manufactured as part of a highly regulated, complex and global industry; therefore, medicine supply disruptions are not uncommon and can occur for a variety of reasons such as manufacturing issues or increases in demand.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) leads on the maintenance of medicine supply chains to the UK and there are well established tools and processes that can be applied if a supply disruption does occur. DHSC works closely with the devolved administrations, including my Department and others within the supply chain to put in place nationally agreed mitigation plans, utilising these tools and processes, to ensure patients across the UK, including Northern Ireland, have equitable access to the medicines they need.

The stockpiling of additional medicines in one region of the UK over another during a supply disruption would be counterproductive to the collaborative working relationship outlined above in ensuring all UK patients have equitable access to medicines. However, in line with normal shortage management processes, my Department has been continuing to work with DHSC and others during February and March 2026, applying nationally agreed management plans where applicable to ensure patients in Northern Ireland have access to the treatments they need.