Brexit a key factor in worst UK medicine shortages in four years, report says

The report says the UK has had the lowest import growth in medicines of any G7 country. Photograph: Matthew Horwood/Alamy

Drug shortages in the UK have risen to their worst level for four years, official figures show, with Brexit considered a key reason so many medications are scarce.

Drug companies notified the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) about disruptions to supply 1,938 times during last year – the highest number since the 1,967 seen in 2021.