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There is likely a direct link between the ongoing Middle East conflict and the “unprecedented” number of medicines added to the price concessions list, sector leaders have warned. 

With 197 price concessions granted in March 2026, sector leaders have said the economic shock of the US-Iran war may be having an early impact on drug prices – but downplayed concerns of an immediate risk of widespread shortages.

"We’re not currently seeing shortages of medicine directly linked to the conflict in the middle east, but pharmacies are seeing disturbing spikes in prices which can be an early indicator of challenges,” National Pharmacy Association chief Henry Gregg said. 

Mr Gregg said an “unprecedented number of price concessions” have been granted to deal with price surges “likely exacerbated by this current situation”. 

He added: "It's clear that medicine prices are soaring for pharmacies, as this crisis unfolds with the government issuing an unprecedented number of price concessions in an attempt to cover the growing price of many essential medicines.

"Government price concessions are 120 per cent higher than they were at the same time last year. 

"We expect this continue if this situation is prolonged, if the cost of raw materials and other aspects of the manufacturing process increases.

"The government must do all they can to reassure the public, support pharmacies with the eye watering cost increases and take a grip of the long-standing issues in the medicine supply chain to ensure we keep a smooth flow of medicine supply to those whose health depends on it."

NHS England chief executive Jim Mackey took to the airwaves yesterday (March 31) to warn that he was “really worried” about the potential impact of the Iran conflict on supply chains.

Mr Mackey said the health service “generally” has buffer supplies to last “a few weeks” but added: “It could be days for some products.”

Independent Pharmacies Association chief executive Leyla Hannbeck said Mr Mackey’s warning reinforces “what we have been saying for some time”.

Ms Hannbeck added: “Medicine shortages pose a serious and growing threat to patients across the UK, and the Government must act now to ensure people are not left without the vital treatments they depend on.”

"The Government must move at pace by immediately adding the 150 most at-risk medicines to the export ban list, appointing a medicines shortages Tsar within days to drive action across government, creating a national Critical Medicines List to protect essential treatments, and formally recognising medicines shortages as a national security risk.

"Pharmacies will continue to do everything possible to shield patients from the worst effects of these shortages, but without urgent and meaningful support from the Government, there is only so much we can do with our hands tied behind our backs.”

Some industry figures downplayed these concerns, with the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) commenting: “We are not aware of any supply issues resulting from the conflict in Iran.  

“The region is not a significant exporter of medicines, and supply routes are flexible and can adapt to disruptions. However, we will continue to monitor this, as we do with other potential supply risks.”

A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care 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.

“The department actively monitors emerging threats to supply resilience and has established processes in place to manage disruption across the health and social care sector.”