Two serious shortage protocols for Fluoxetine 30mg capsules and Salazopyrin EN-Tabs 500mg have been extended into next year, the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) has confirmed.
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The serious shortage protocols (SSPs), which apply to all pharmacies in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, were introduced in October in response to ‘significant ongoing disruption’ to the supply of both drugs, PSNC said.
Both protocols were due to expire this month, but have been extended to 8 January 2021.
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The SSPs provide pharmacists with procedures to follow for supplying a suitable alternative to patients.
Fluoxetine 30mg capsules were subject to a SSP in October last year, along with two other strengths of the antidepressant. However, the protocol for Fluoxetine 40mg capsules was withdrawn in Octobere after ‘sufficient stock’ of the drug had been made available to meet ‘normal demand’.
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A full list of active SSPs has been published on the NHS Business Services Authority’s website.
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