Man fears stroke or heart attack due to aspirin shortage

A pensioner with heart issues believes an ongoing nationwide aspirin shortage could be putting his life at risk.

David Slater has had three stents fitted and relies on the medication daily to prevent blood clots. But he has been told by his pharmacist multiple times that they have no aspirin in stock.

The 72-year-old from Earlsdon, Coventry, said he feared a stroke or a heart attack if the situation continued.

Ministers insist measures are in place to mitigate disruption, with money being put into manufacturing medicines in the UK.

In January, the BBC reported that 86% of pharmacies surveyed by the National Pharmacy Association had been unable to supply aspirin to patients.

It is because of issues in the global supply chain, with some stocks being reserved for those with acute conditions or emergency prescriptions.

Slater, a former security guard and DJ, said his medication was being delivered but on an infrequent basis. On one occasion, he was left with just a handful of tablets because his local pharmacy had run out.

"To have a situation such as a heart attack does worry me," he said. "I can imagine it worries everybody that's on the same medication."

The pensioner added he had asked his landlord and daughter to search for supplies but they had also struggled to find any.

"You can't really do a lot about it," he added.

"You can't take to the barricades like they did in the French Revolution and storm the Bastille. You just hope that somebody somewhere does the job and sorts the problem out."

Dr Alia Fahmy is medical director of Concierge Medical based in Warwickshire and a former NHS GP in Leamington Spa.

She explained aspirin played a critical role for millions of patients with cardiovascular conditions and was baffled at the shortage which has been ongoing since late last year.

"I don't understand why we are in a situation where we're beholden to supply and demand when it comes to something as basic as healthcare and medicine," she said.

"We need to be being better prepared and whether that is establishing UK-based drug companies, I don't know.

"More and more we are hearing about drug shortages [and] that should not be happening."

The doctor urged anyone feeling at risk to speak to their pharmacist.

"If you are high risk with previous heart attacks and strokes [then] talk to your pharmacist," she added.

"They are rationing supplies but you [will be] prioritised."

A Department for Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "The vast majority of the UK's licensed medicines are in good supply and aspirin stock remains available to pharmacies from wholesalers.

"To make sure this remains the case, we work with suppliers to resolve any issues and we are investing more in the domestic medicine manufacturing industry."

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