Antibiotics, cough syrups and blood pressure tablets among 239 out-of-stock medications

The list of out-of stock medications also includes Ezetimibe for high blood cholesterol, Lercanidipine for treating high blood pressure, and two types of Solpadeine tablets. File picture: Pexels

Antibiotics, cough syrups and blood pressure tablets are among 239 medications currently out of stock in the country, with drug shortages rising 34% since October.

The shortages are of 13 medicines described as “critical” by the World Health Organisation, including amoxicillin antibiotics of which 11 types are now unavailable here. Six types of Benylin cough syrup are out of stock due to an unexpected increase in demand according to the health regulator.