Medicines That Cannot Be Exported: Understanding the UK's Restricted List

To protect UK patients during supply difficulties, the Department of Health and Social Care keeps a list of medicines that must not be exported from the UK or hoarded. Every wholesaler that trades internationally needs to know it well.

What the list does

The list was first published in October 2019. It names specific medicines that UK wholesalers must not export, or hoard, because they are needed for UK patients. As of March 2026, it included 31 medicines. Products are added and removed as supply conditions change.

Who it applies to

The restrictions apply to wholesalers and others who might otherwise move stock out of the UK. Breaching them can lead to regulatory action against a wholesale dealer's licence.

What it means for international buyers

• Some UK medicines simply cannot be supplied abroad while they are on the list.

• A reputable UK exporter will check every order against the current list before quoting.

• Availability can change, so a product that is restricted today may become available later, and the reverse.

Responsible exporting

The UK's medicines supply depends on balance: legitimate export trade, without leaving UK patients short. At Acorn Pharmaceuticals we check every international enquiry against current UK restrictions, so our overseas customers know that anything we quote can be supplied legally and responsibly.