The PGEU Medicine Shortages Report 2025 presents the results of the annual survey conducted among community pharmacy organisations across Europe to assess the scale and impact of medicine shortages from the frontline perspective. The 2025 survey, carried out between 15 January and 15 February 2026, gathered responses from 27 EU and EFTA countries.

The findings confirm that medicine shortages remain a structural and systemic challenge. In 96% of responding countries, shortages persist, often at sustained high levels, with over 600 medicines reported in shortage in more than one third of countries. Clinically critical therapies, including insulins, GLP-1 receptor agonists, antibiotics, cardiovascular, oncologic and nervous system medicines, are increasingly affected.

The impact on patients and pharmacists is significant. All responding EU Member States report patient distress, 89% report treatment interruptions, and reduced patient trust in pharmacies is now the most frequently cited consequence. Community pharmacies are dedicating on average 12 hours per week to managing shortages, absorbing administrative and financial burdens while safeguarding continuity of care.

Despite some progress in reporting systems and definitions, legal flexibility and predictive capacity remain uneven across Europe. Shortages continue to be managed reactively rather than prevented proactively.

The report highlights the urgent need for coordinated, forward-looking solutions to strengthen the resilience of Europe’s pharmaceutical supply chain and protect patient access to essential medicines.