# Medication Out of Stock? What to Do | Pick My Pharmacy

URL: https://pickmypharmacy.co.uk/answers/what-happens-if-my-medication-is-out-of-stock/
Description: If your pharmacy is out of stock, they can order it, try nearby pharmacies, or contact your GP about a suitable alternative.

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Using Your Pharmacy

# What happens if my medication is out of stock?

By [Kaiser Khan](/author/kaiser-khan/) · Updated 9 July 2026

In short

If your pharmacy doesn't have your medication in stock, they can usually order it in, often arriving within a day or two, or check with nearby pharmacies on your behalf. For ongoing supply issues, the pharmacist may contact your GP to agree a suitable alternative brand, form, or dose.

At a glance

- ·Pharmacies can order most medicines in within 1-2 working days
- ·Pharmacists can suggest alternatives and liaise with your GP
- ·National medicine shortages sometimes affect specific products for weeks
- ·Calling ahead before collecting saves a wasted trip
- ·Never stop a prescribed medicine abruptly without advice

## Short-term stock issues

If your specific pharmacy simply doesn't have your item on the shelf, they can usually order it from their wholesaler, typically arriving within a day or two. Ring ahead before your next collection if you're on a tight schedule.

## When it's a wider shortage

Some medicines face genuine UK-wide supply shortages that can last weeks or months, driven by manufacturing or supply chain issues. In these cases, your pharmacist may need to contact your GP to agree an alternative brand, strength, or formulation that's available.

## What you should do

Don't stop taking a prescribed medicine without advice, even if you're running low — speak to your pharmacist as soon as possible. They can check stock at nearby pharmacies, suggest short-term options, or escalate to your GP if a change is needed.

Next step

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## People Also Ask
Can I get my prescription from a different pharmacy if mine is out of stock?+
Yes, your GP or the pharmacy can arrange for a paper prescription or transfer so you can try another pharmacy, though this takes a little longer than an electronic repeat sent to your nominated pharmacy.
Will my pharmacist tell me if there's a national shortage?+
Most pharmacists will explain if a shortage is affecting your specific medicine nationally, and what alternatives are being used in the meantime.

Keep reading

- [How do repeat prescriptions work?](/answers/how-do-repeat-prescriptions-work/)
- [Can a pharmacy give an emergency supply of medicine?](/answers/can-a-pharmacy-give-an-emergency-supply/)
- [NHS prescriptions](/services/nhs-prescriptions/)

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This article is general information for UK patients, not medical advice, and NHS rules and charges change — confirm current rules on [nhs.uk](https://www.nhs.uk) or speak to a pharmacist or GP before acting. For urgent medical help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency. Price figures are indicative benchmarks from our[methodology](/methodology/).