Coventry man fears stroke or heart attack due to aspirin shortage

A pensioner with heart issues believes an ongoing nationwide aspirin shortage could be putting his life at risk. David Slater has had three stents fitted and relies on the medication daily to prevent blood clots. But he has been told by his pharmacist multiple times that they have no aspirin in stock. The 72-year-old from Earlsdon, Coventry, said he feared a stroke or a heart attack if the situation continued. Ministers insist measures are in place to mitigate disruption, with money being put into manufacturing medicines in the UK. In January, the BBC reported that 86% of pharmacies surveyed by the National Pharmacy Association had been unable to supply aspirin to patients. It is because of issues in the global supply chain, with some stocks being reserved for those with acute conditions or emergency prescriptions. Slater, a former security guard and DJ, said his medication was being delivered but on an infrequent basis. On one occasion, he was left with just a handful of tablets because his local pharmacy had run out. "To have a situation such as a heart attack does worry me," he said. "I can imagine it worries everybody that's on the same medication." The pensioner added he had a