UK faces nationwide ramipril capsule shortage through October 2026

A nationwide shortage of ramipril capsules, covering all four dosages, is expected to persist in the UK until the end of October 2026, according to a tier-2 medicine supply alert. The Department of Health and Social Care activated a Serious Shortage Protocol that limits pharmacists to dispensing no more than a month’s worth of the 1.25 mg capsules at a time, regardless of the prescription length, while ensuring no additional NHS prescription fees are charged.

Tablet forms of ramiprede remain in stock but are insufficient to absorb any increase in demand, and routine switching to other ACE inhibitors is not recommended due to lower overall usage. Patients are urged to contact their pharmacy or GP early, possibly switch to tablets or other blood-pressure drugs such as lisinopril or enalapril, and monitor their blood pressure closely during any change. Community Pharmacy England stresses that alternative medicines are available but cautions against large-scale substitution that could strain other supply chains. The shortage follows earlier alerts in April 2026 and remains listed on the NHS medicines supply tool.