Scotland: Patients told to reduce dosage of co-codamol due to national shortage

Supplies of prescription-strength co-codamol will be limited in Scotland until the summer.

Some health boards are now telling patients to immediately reduce their dosage of the painkiller as there will not be enough to meet demand.

There is a UK-wide shortage of the 30mg/500mg dosage of the painkiller due to the Indian government delaying the authorisation to import the necessary ingredients.

The Scottish Government has now confirmed the drug will be limited until June and alternative treatment options will be offered to those affected. However, health boards warn that none of the alternative medicines can sustain the demand that is expected from the co-codamol shortage.

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Source: The Scotsman, 18 February 2026