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Guidance

Ensuring the efficient supply and distribution of medicines to patients

Guidance on the roles and responsibilities of marketing authorisation holders, wholesalers and procurers in maintaining the supply of medicines and minimising the risk of shortages.

Documents

Details

Guidance setting out best-practice behaviours to ensure the efficient supply of medicines to patients and to minimise the risk of shortages. It is primarily aimed at suppliers, wholesalers and dispensers of medicine but will be of interest to everyone who has a role in preventing shortages of medicines. 

The guidance has been produced in collaboration with supply chain partners. It does not place any new requirements on those who supply, procure or dispense NHS medicines.

Updates to this page

Published 11 January 2013
Last updated 5 August 2026 Show all updates
  1. Updated to include current information and replace broken or outdated publication links.

  2. First published.

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