A woman lying on the floor after falling unconscious from epileptic fit. (Image: Getty)
Hundreds of thousands of Brits, including children, could be left without a life-saving epilepsy drug as the NHS faces a shortage of vital seizure medication. The Government has issued a shortage notice for the drug midazolam to all NHS pharmacies to make them aware of the situation and has warned that certain strengths of the medicine will be out of stock until late May.
The medication, which can be taken as a liquid in the mouth or via the nose, is used as an emergency rescue medication to treat prolonged seizures and is prescribed to hundreds of thousands of people, including children, across the UK every year. The shortage affects the midazolam 7.5mg oral solution pre-filled syringes. Midazolam is used for prolonged and acute seizures in both adults and children, as well as sometimes for repeated seizures where there is a short time in between them.
Pharmacy leaders warned that they were “increasingly concerned” by the disruption to epilepsy supply, blaming it on supply issues due to the war in Iran. And it is not only the condition where medication is in short supply. Pharmacy leaders have warned that some cancer drugs and blood-thinning drugs may also be affected.
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Dr Leyla Hannbeck, CEO of the Independent Pharmacies Association, said: “We are increasingly concerned that the disruption in the Strait of Hormuz is worsening medicines shortages in the UK.
“This includes medicines for epilepsy, blood pressure medicines, blood thinning medicines and some cancer medicines,” she told The Sun.
“In recent months, we have already seen a record rise in the price pharmacies have to pay to source prescription-only medicines, leaving many struggling to afford supply”.
According to Epilepsy Research Institute UK, one in 100 people live with epilepsy with around 633,000 people currently living with the condition. Every week a further 600 people are diagnosed and 30% live with uncontrolled seizures that do not respond to medication.
This latest shortage comes after Paul Nash, 58 died in October 2025 after he was unable to access his medication.
Coroner Emma Whitting concluded that he died ”following an epileptic seizure after running out of his epilepsy medication which meant he had missed three doses”.
She said: “It is difficult for them to obtain batch quantities to ensure they always have access to some in the event that they find they are running low or there are delays in the pharmacy processing a repeat prescription. Apparently in some areas processing can take up to 10 days.”
NHS guidelines on what to do if someone has a fit:
* Only move them if they’re in danger, such as near a busy road or hot cooker
* Cushion their head if they’re on the ground
* Loosen any tight clothing around their neck, such as a collar or tie, to aid breathing
* Turn them on to their side after their convulsions stop
* Stay with them and talk to them calmly until they recover
* Note the time the seizure starts and finishes
* If the person is in a wheelchair, put the brakes on and leave any seatbelt or harness on. Support them gently and cushion their head, but do not try to move them.
* Do not put anything in their mouth, including your fingers. They should not have any food or drink until they have fully recovered.
* Call 999 and ask for an ambulance if it’s the first time someone has had a seizure, it lasts longer than is usual for them or more than 5 minutes or the person does not regain full consciousness, is seriosuly injured or experiencing difficulty breathing after the seizure.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
