Full Breakdown
Impact of the Iran War on Medicine Prices in the UK
4/24/2026, 2:29:14 AM
Rising Costs of Essential Medications
The ongoing war in Iran has significantly increased the prices of commonly used medications in the UK, particularly painkillers and hay fever treatments. According to the National Pharmacy Association (NPA), community pharmacies have reported price hikes of 20-30% for paracetamol since February. Specific examples include a 32-pack of paracetamol that has seen its price rise from 41p to £1.99 by late March, and cetirizine, a popular allergy medication, which has nearly doubled in price from 19p to 37p for a pack of 30 tablets. The price of certain types of aspirin has surged from £2 to nearly £10 per pack.
Factors Driving Price Increases
Several factors are contributing to these price increases. The war has led to surging fuel prices, which have raised manufacturing and transportation costs for medicine suppliers by 40-50%. Additionally, air freight costs have doubled, affecting the supply of NHS medicines, as one in five is imported by air. The conflict has also disrupted the supply of petrochemical derivatives from the Gulf, essential for producing many common medications, including paracetamol and co-codamol.
Financial Strain on Pharmacies
Pharmacies, which derive approximately 90% of their income from dispensing NHS prescriptions, face significant financial pressure as they are often required to sell medications at a loss. The government does provide a price concession for certain medications that have increased significantly in cost, but many essential items, including paracetamol and cetirizine, have not been included in this list. In March, a record 230 items were added to the price concessions list, compared to just 90 the previous year. This situation has forced some pharmacies to halt the sale of over-the-counter aspirin due to supply constraints exacerbated by the war.
Criticism and Concerns
Pharmacists have expressed concerns about the sustainability of their businesses under these conditions. Olivier Picard, chair of the NPA, noted that the financial strain could lead to further closures of pharmacies, which have already seen 1,400 shut down since 2020. The inability to predict future costs and the pressure to dispense medications at a loss are creating an untenable situation for many community pharmacies.
What's Next?
As the peak hay fever season approaches in May and June, further price increases are anticipated. Pharmacists are urging customers against panic buying, as this could exacerbate shortages and drive prices even higher. The ongoing conflict in Iran and its impact on supply chains continue to pose risks for the availability and affordability of essential medications in the UK.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We anticipate this to get worse in the coming months and will have no choice but to pass on the increases.” — Ali Hussain, Superintendent Pharmacist
- “The cost of paracetamol between the 15 March and the 31 March quadrupled,” — Olivier Picard, Chair of the NPA
- “It means that the cost of medicine is soaring and ends up being pharmacies dispensing at a loss,” — Olivier Picard, Chair of the NPA
- “Thorrun Govind, a pharmacist based in Manchester, said: “It takes so much more time trying to purchase drugs nowadays than it used to.” — Thorrun Govind, Pharmacist
The situation remains fluid, and the long-term implications of the Iran conflict on the UK pharmaceutical landscape will continue to unfold.
