Medicine Shortage in the UK

May 5, 2026, 16:04
EuropeHealth

Introduction

The UK does not have enough important medicines. This is because of a war in the Middle East.

Main Body

Ships cannot move easily near Iran. This makes the cost of medicine go up. Pharmacies lose money and cannot buy more drugs. People with epilepsy are in danger. They need their medicine every day. If they do not have it, they can have seizures or die. Experts say more medicines will disappear in June. This includes medicine for pain and infections. This will happen if the US and Iran do not stop fighting.

Conclusion

The UK health system has a big problem. The government must help to get more medicine.

Learning

The 'Cause and Effect' Link

When we want to explain why something happens, we often use the word because.

Look at this pattern from the text: [Result] →\rightarrow because of →\rightarrow [Reason]

Example from the text: *"The UK does not have enough important medicines →\rightarrow because of a war in the Middle East."

Simple Rules for You:

  1. Use because + a full sentence (subject + verb).
    • I am late because it is raining.
  2. Use because of + a noun (a person, place, or thing).
    • I am late because of the rain.

Vocabulary Boost

  • Shortage = Not enough of something.
  • Disappear = To go away / vanish.
  • Infection = When bad germs make you sick.

Vocabulary Learning

medicine (n.)
A substance used to treat illness or injury
Example:She took her medicine every morning to keep her fever down.
war (n.)
A conflict between countries or groups
Example:The war in the Middle East has caused many problems.
cost (n.)
The amount of money needed to buy something
Example:The cost of medicine has gone up because of the shortage.
pharmacy (n.)
A store where medicine is sold
Example:The pharmacy closed early because it was too busy.
danger (n.)
A situation that could cause harm
Example:The lack of medicine puts people with epilepsy in danger.
seizures (n.)
Sudden attacks of electric shock in the brain
Example:If they miss their medicine, they may have seizures.
government (n.)
The group that runs a country
Example:The government must help to get more medicine.