Global ibuprofen shortage hits the UK as Tesco and Sainsbury's selves left empty

The UK has been hit by a global shortage of ibuprofen with supplies of the drug affecting major supermarkets.

Tesco and Sainsbury's customers have been taking to social media to complain about empty shelves when trying to buy the normally readily available painkiller.

Instead, people are turning to paracetamol which has led to a run out of this medication as well.

Meanwhile, the British Medical Association has called for "urgent action" over shortages to a number of common medicines caused by manufacturing problems.

One photo of a Sainsbury's sign showed a notice blaming a "supply issue" for the problem.

The notice said: "We are currently experiencing supply issues across Sainsbury's Ibuprofen caplets and tablets.

"We are working hard with our suppliers to resolve this as soon as possible. We apologise for any inconvenience caused."

Tesco has claimed the issue is due to a "global shortage" of the drug, The Sun reported.

The supermarket's own-brand and other products are affected, Tesco said.

One said:  “Over the past couple of weeks I have tried to buy in Boots, Superdrug and Tesco without success. The shelves are either empty or filled up with expensive brand alternatives.”

Some have claimed people are stockpiling the drug with Brexit looming.

Disappointed customer Scott Reid complained: "No generic ibuprofen in local Tesco or Aldi for three weeks now and no date as to when supplies will resume. Normally thousands of packs. Clearly somebody somewhere is stockpiling..."

A spokesman for Sainsbury's told MirrorOnline : “Some stores are running low on some own brand ibuprofen and paracetamol lines. We’re working to replenish as quickly as possible and are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.”