UK’s NHS could be ‘days away’ from running out of key supplies because of Iran war

UK’s National Health Service (NHS) is facing the risk of running out of critical medical supplies within days due to disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict, its chief executive has warned.

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Sir Jim Mackey said the health service is increasingly concerned about shortages of essential items such as syringes, masks and surgical equipment, as supply chains are affected by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

“We are really worried about this,” Mackey said, noting that the NHS has already experienced “a couple of supply shocks in the last 12 to 18 months of key supplies.” He explained that deliveries have either been delayed or diverted, impacting availability across the system.

Asked about contingency planning given that the UK imports a large proportion of its medicines, he said: “We’ve got a team in place to focus on where the risks might be through the supply chains.”

Providing further detail on stock levels, he added: “In every area, we’ve got enough to get through for a reasonable period… so generally, a few weeks. Because things perish and it costs money to store and various other things go out of use, you can’t hold years and years of supply.”

However, he warned that the situation could deteriorate quickly depending on the product. “Well, everything, honestly, everything’s at risk,” he said, adding that for some supplies “it could be days.”

Industry groups have echoed concerns about growing pressure on supply chains. Leyla Hannbeck of the Independent Pharmacies Association said the UK faces a “perfect storm of factors exacerbating medicine shortages. The UK pharmacy sector depends heavily on imports… and ongoing pressures… are already disrupting supply and risk worsening shortages without decisive action,” she said.

Similarly, Henry Gregg noted that while shortages directly linked to the conflict have not yet materialised, rising prices could signal deeper issues. “The supply chain is very international… we import a lot of medicines,” he said, warning that the UK could face increasing competition for limited supplies.

A government spokesperson said: “There are currently no reported medicine shortages as a result of conflict in the Middle East. “We continue to monitor the situation closely for any impacts on the medical supply chain.”

Officials added that systems are in place to manage disruptions, though concerns remain as global supply pressures intensify.