Stockpiles of medical products held by the UK Department of Health and Social Care

Background and overview

The purpose of this document is to help provide the NHS, industry and the public with a more accurate understanding of the Department of Health and Social Care’s (DHSC) stockpile arrangements.

The document explains the medical stockpiles held by DHSC, as well as contractual arrangements in place with suppliers and other partners - for example, the 8-week buffer stock requirement for secondary care medicines.

It will not be updated unless there is a material change to the stockpiles listed below or DHSC’s approach to stockpiling.

Stockpiling definition and purpose

Stockpiling means buying and storing products so they can be used later. It helps the government prepare for emergencies. The government plans for different types of emergencies, including:

• sudden emergencies, where the market cannot respond quickly, such as chemical or biological incidents
• long-lasting emergencies, such as a pandemic, where demand stays higher than supply for a long time

Stockpiles can be sent quickly to the people and places that need them during an emergency. Having supplies ready in advance also helps reduce costs, as demand is usually lower and more stable before an emergency happens.

As outlined in the Pandemic Preparedness Strategy (2026), DHSC will continue to invest in replenishing stockpiles and securing contractual arrangements, including through dynamic stockpiling, where appropriate, to reduce costs and waste while increasing resilience.

Stockpiles held by DHSC

All 4 UK nations use stockpiles for emergencies that need a major public health response.

DHSC currently holds UK-wide:

• chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) stockpiles to respond to incidents involving hazardous materials
• pandemic preparedness stockpiles of medicines and clinical supplies, including antibiotics, antivirals, vaccines, fluids, needles and syringes, for use in a pandemic

Stockpiles held for England only:

• pandemic preparedness stockpiles of personal protective equipment (PPE) and hygiene items, including gloves, aprons and other protective equipment, for use in a pandemic

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland each have their own provisions for PPE.

Other stockpiles and contractual arrangements with suppliers

In addition to stockpiles held by DHSC, our partners also have contractual arrangements with some suppliers to hold extra stock to enhance supply resilience.

Suppliers of medicines used in hospitals located in England must keep at least 8 weeks of stock at the level of secondary care demand. This is a condition of being part of NHS England’s medicines supply frameworks.

NHS Supply Chain usually holds around 4 weeks of stock for medical products, including medical technology, medical and surgical consumables and diagnostic equipment, which it supplies through its stocked delivery channel in England and Wales.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) also holds supplies of anti-toxins, immunoglobulins and antivenoms to support the post-exposure treatment of serious infections and certain venomous bites and stings.

Read the full policy paper below.