Short supply notice extended for blood pressure drug

The widely prescribed blood pressure drug, ramipril 1.25 mg capsules, is being impacted by ongoing supply issues, and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has extended a medicine supply notification as a result.

The initial tier 2 – medium impact – notification, posted 22 April, stated that intermittent supply issues with ramipril 1.25mg capsules were expected to last until the end of May 2026. This has now been extended to 24 July 2026.

This serious shortage protocol (SSP) allows community pharmacists to limit supply to one month, and provides for a reduced quantity of ramipril 1.25mg capsules to be supplied for less than the number of days prescribed on original prescription.

For supply in accordance with the SSP (SSP087), no prescription charges will be applicable for ramipril 1.25mg capsules.

Ramipril 1.25mg and 2.5mg tablets and ramipril oral solution remain available but cannot support increased demand. Other low dose formulations of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin-II receptor blockers (ARBs) remain available, some of which can support increased demand

DHSC and NHS England have launched an online medicines supply tool, which provides up-to-date information about medicine supply issues.

This announcement follows a third recall of ramipril products by its manufacturer Crescent Pharma Limited on 28 May. All three recalls have been attributed to packaging errors and the National Pharmacy Association is now calling for pharmacies to be paid compensation for the cost of manufacturers’ mistakes.

Ramipril is a widely used medication in the treatment of hypertension and heart failure, among other conditions. In the UK, ramipril is one of the most prescribed drugs, with over 29.3 million prescriptions in 2019 alone.