The ongoing Iran war is pushing up the cost of everyday medicines in England, with pharmacists warning of price rises of up to 30% and growing supply concerns.
According to the National Pharmacy Association (NPA), community pharmacies are now charging significantly more for common treatments such as Paracetamol, Aspirin, and Co-codamol. Prices for Cetirizine, widely used for hay fever, have also surged by 20–30% since February.
The sharp increase is being driven by higher fuel and transport costs following the outbreak of war nearly two months ago. Suppliers are now paying far more to manufacture and distribute medicines, with some pharmacies reporting wholesale price increases of up to 50%.
Air freight costs have also doubled, placing additional strain on supply chains. Around one in five NHS medicines are imported by air, while many drugs rely on petroleum-based ingredients sourced from the Gulf region. Disruption to these supplies is tightening availability and pushing prices higher.
Pharmacists say shortages are already emerging. Some chemists have struggled to source certain strengths of aspirin and co-codamol, while others have temporarily stopped selling aspirin altogether due to limited stock.
Olivier Picard, chair of the NPA, said wholesale prices for paracetamol had spiked dramatically. In one example, the cost of 100 tablets rose from 41p to £1.99 in March before easing slightly. This has translated into higher prices for consumers, with packs that once sold for £1.19 now costing around £1.50.
Hay fever sufferers could face further increases as demand rises during the summer months. However, pharmacists are urging the public not to panic buy, warning that stockpiling could worsen shortages and drive prices even higher.
While NHS hospitals benefit from fixed pricing agreements, community pharmacies operate under tighter margins. Many are being forced to sell medicines at a loss when reimbursement rates fail to keep up with rising costs. Paracetamol, for example, is not currently included in the government’s price concessions list, despite its widespread use.
The financial pressure on pharmacies is intensifying. Around 1,400 community pharmacies have closed since 2020, with closures continuing at a steady pace.
Industry leaders warn the situation could deteriorate further. Manufacturers of generic medicines, which make up the majority of NHS prescriptions, are facing rising production costs and limited access to key chemicals. If the conflict continues, experts say shortages and further price increases could emerge within weeks.
For now, patients are already feeling the impact at the pharmacy counter, as global conflict increasingly shapes the cost of everyday healthcare in the UK.