Prescribing advice
A Medicine Supply Notification (MSN/2026/001) on the shortage of co-codamol 30mg/500mg tablets was issued on 13 January 2026.
Refer to supply tool entry Shortage of Co-codamol 30mg/500mg tablets (SPS page) for an up to date stock position of the available alternatives. You must be logged into the SPS website to view the shortage advice.
Co-codamol 30mg/500mg (all formulations) was added to the list of medicines you cannot export from the UK or hoard to protect supplies for UK patients.
Serious shortage protocols
A serious shortage protocol (SSP) is not appropriate for co-codamol 30/500mg tablets.
SSPs are an additional tool used to manage and mitigate medicines shortages. An SSP enables community pharmacists to supply a specified medicine in accordance with an approved protocol rather than the original prescription. This can be done without seeking authorisation from the prescriber, saving time for patients, pharmacists and prescribers.
However, due to very high prescribing volumes of co-codamol 30mg/500mg tablets, no single suitable alternative can fully absorb this level of demand. Naming specific products within an SSP risks significantly increasing demand for those alternatives and potentially worsening overall supply pressures. Effective management of this shortage will require prescribers to review each patient’s pain control individually and assess ongoing treatment needs in consultation with the patient.
Alternative strengths and formulations of co-codamol and codeine remain available. Refer to Shortage of Co-codamol 30mg/500mg tablets (SPS page) for an up to date stock position of the available alternatives.