Medicine Shortage in Spain: How to Check and What to Do
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera, MD
Licensed Physician No. 484814280 · Official Medical College of Bizkaia (Spain)Last reviewed: 31 October 2026
Medicine shortage in Spain? How to check the AEMPS CIMA supply list, what a pharmacist can swap, when a doctor must change it, and why not to stop.
You don't have to figure this out alone
Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera is an independent, bilingual GP licensed in Spain. Book a 15-minute video consultation in English or Spanish for €50, with a private electronic prescription issued under Spanish law when clinically appropriate.
A medicine shortage in Spain is listed by the AEMPS, the national medicines agency, on its CIMA database. If your pharmacy says a medicine is out of stock, check that list. It shows which packs have a supply problem, the expected end date when known, and whether an alternative exists. Keep taking what you have, and talk to your pharmacist or doctor before you stop.
- The AEMPS lists every pack with a supply problem (problema de suministro) on CIMA.
- Search by name or national code (CN) to see the dates and a short note on alternatives.
- A pharmacist may swap a short-supply medicine for one with the same ingredient, form, route and strength.
- Some medicines cannot be swapped without the doctor, such as insulins, inhalers and levothyroxine.
- A change of ingredient always needs a doctor. Never stop a medicine on your own.
Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera is a GP licensed in Spain (Colegiado No. 484814280).
For a medical emergency, call 112 or go to the nearest local emergency department. Do not wait for a video consultation or an online reply.
What counts as a medicine shortage in Spain?
The AEMPS calls it a supply problem when the packs in pharmacies and wholesalers fall short of what the country needs. It usually comes from a problem in making or shipping the medicine.
Two points help. First, the problem is listed per pack, not per medicine. One size or strength can be short while another is fine. Second, Spanish pharmacists may use two words: problema de suministro (supply problem) and desabastecimiento (shortage).
How do you check CIMA for a supply problem?
CIMA is free and open to anyone. The AEMPS says the list is kept up to date all the time.
- Open the CIMA list of medicines with supply problems.
- Search by the brand name or by the national code, the código nacional (CN), printed on the box.
- Look at the start date and, when known, the expected end date.
- Read the short note. It may say that another medicine with the same ingredient exists. It may say the doctor must choose another treatment. Or it may say that a foreign medicine is being brought in.
- Click the name to open the product sheet and leaflet.
There is also a list of problems solved in the last three months. Many Spanish regions build this data into their prescribing systems, so your GP may already see the alert.
Example: is Gelidina out of stock?
Gelidina is a fluocinolone acetonide gel, a steroid for itchy, inflamed skin. It needs a prescription in Spain. When we checked CIMA on 30 October 2026, both the 30 g tube (since May 2026) and the 60 g tube (since September 2026) had an active supply problem, with no expected end date. The note said other medicines with the same ingredient and route exist. Shortages change, so check your exact pack on CIMA on the day.
What can a pharmacist in Spain do?
Spanish law lets the pharmacist swap a medicine in two cases. One is when it is not in stock because of a shortage. The other is an urgent need. The rule is in article 89 of Royal Legislative Decree 1/2015, the Spanish medicines law. The swap must have the same make-up, form, route and strength. The pharmacist picks the lowest-price option.
In practice, a missing brand can often be replaced by a generic (EFG) with the same ingredient. The pharmacist cannot change the ingredient. That needs a new prescription.
The AEMPS also lists medicines that must not be swapped without the doctor's say-so:
- Biological medicines, such as insulins and vaccines.
- Medicines with a narrow safety margin, such as warfarin, acenocoumarol (Sintrom), digoxin, levothyroxine, lithium and phenytoin.
- Medicines that need special checks, such as isotretinoin and clozapine.
- Inhaled medicines for the lungs.
Your usual medicine is out of stock?
You can book a video visit with a GP licensed in Spain, in English or Spanish. He reviews your treatment and the CIMA note, and explains the options.
When does a doctor need to change the prescription?
- No medicine with the same ingredient, form and strength is available.
- Your medicine is on the AEMPS list that cannot be swapped without the doctor.
- The CIMA note says the prescriber must decide on another treatment.
- Only a foreign medicine is being brought in, and you need a plan until it arrives.
A doctor then looks at why you take it, your other medicines and your health. Sometimes a different strength or form works. Sometimes a different medicine is better.
Should you stop a medicine you cannot find?
No. NHS Wales gives clear advice for shortages, and it applies in Spain too:
- Keep taking your medicines as prescribed. Do not change how much you take unless advised to.
- Order your medicines in plenty of time.
- Only order what you need. Do not stock up.
- Check expiry dates, which may be shorter than usual.
Some medicines are risky to stop suddenly. Examples are insulin, epilepsy medicines, blood thinners and heart medicines. If you are about to run out of one of these, speak to a doctor today. Do not wait until the box is empty.
Call 112 if, after running out, you have chest pain, a seizure, severe breathlessness, or sudden weakness or confusion.
What if you are from the UK or the US?
Brand names often differ in Spain. Bring the box, the leaflet or your prescription, so the pharmacist can see the active ingredient. A prescription medicine in Spain needs a valid prescription. Our guides on replacing lost medication and on which medicines need a prescription explain how this works.
Talking it through with a doctor by video
Dr. Yelamo is a GP licensed in Spain. He sees adults, children and pregnant patients by video, every day from 07:30 to 20:30 (Spain time). In the visit he will:
- Check which medicine is missing and why you take it.
- Look at the CIMA note for your exact pack with you.
- Explain whether a same-ingredient swap or a different treatment fits.
- Tell you which signs mean you need to be seen in person.
He does not promise any test or prescription before the visit. Where clinically appropriate, following a genuine evaluation. Treatment and prescriptions are issued solely at the doctor's discretion based on evidence-based clinical guidelines.
A prescription is never guaranteed: it is issued only where clinically appropriate after a genuine evaluation, as a private electronic prescription under Spanish law. This service is for urgent, non-emergency care. In an emergency, call 112.
See how the Urgent Care video visit works. It lasts 15 minutes and costs €50.
This guide is general information. It does not replace the advice of your doctor or pharmacist.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if a medicine is in short supply in Spain?
Check the AEMPS list of medicines with supply problems on CIMA. Search by the medicine's name or its national code (CN). Each affected pack shows the start date and, when known, the expected end date.
Can a Spanish pharmacist give me a different brand?
Yes, in some cases. When a medicine is out of stock because of a shortage, the pharmacist may swap it for one with the same ingredient, form, route and strength. Some medicines, such as insulins and inhalers, need the doctor's approval.
Can the pharmacist switch me to a different ingredient?
No. A medicine with a different active ingredient needs a new prescription from a doctor.
Is Gelidina out of stock?
When we checked CIMA on 30 October 2026, both the 30 g and the 60 g tubes of Gelidina gel (fluocinolone acetonide) had an active supply problem. CIMA noted that other medicines with the same ingredient exist. Check CIMA again, as this changes.
Should I stop my medicine if the pharmacy has none?
No. Keep taking what you have as prescribed, and talk to your pharmacist or doctor before you run out. Do not change how much you take on your own.
Should I stock up when I hear about a shortage?
No. Health services advise ordering only what you need, in good time. Stockpiling makes shortages worse for everyone.
Sources
- AEMPS: Medicine supply problems (Spanish)
- AEMPS CIMA: Medicines with supply problems
- AEMPS: Medicines that must not be substituted without the prescriber
- AEMPS CIMA: Gelidina package leaflet (Spanish)
- NHS Wales: Managing medicines shortages, patient information
Related guides
Medical Citations & Sources
This content is written and reviewed by a licensed physician with reference to the following official health authorities.
