Aspirin shortage highlighted by Wrekin MP

Wrekin MP Mark Pritchard has challenged the government to step in as reports of aspirin shortages emerge across the country.

The local MP submitted a parliamentary question to health and social care ministers asking what steps were being taken to increase availability and normalise supply chains.

In response, Dr Zubir Ahmed, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health Innovation and Safety, confirmed the government is aware of a recent disruption to the supply of aspirin dispersible tablets.

The minister said they are working with suppliers to understand the causes and aid a return to normal supply as soon as possible.

Mark Pritchard said: “Aspirin is needed by many hundreds of people across The Wrekin every week. The current shortage is having real life impacts on people, so the government needs to ensure the supply chains are fully restored as soon as possible.

“I’ve never known a shortage of aspirin before, which shows the extent to which Labour ministers are failing to get a grip of the root causes of how and why this has happened.”

Government officials added that supply issues have been addressed and stock is now regularly being made available for pharmacies to order.

The department expects supplies to return to normal over the coming weeks.