Two new serious shortage protocols (SSPs) for Fluoxetine 30mg capsules and Salazopyrin EN-Tabs 500mg have been issued by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to combat shortages.
The SSPs, which apply to all pharmacies in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, were introduced with immediate effect on Tuesday (20 October) and are due to expire on 4 December (Salazopyrin) and 22 December (Fluoxetine).
The protocols were put in place in response to ‘significant ongoing disruption’ to the supply of both drugs, PSNC said.
Both SSPs provide pharmacists with procedures to follow for supplying a suitable alternative product to patients.
Fluoxetine 30mg capsules were subject to a SSP in October last year, along with two other strengths of the antidepressant.
Earlier this month (5 October), the SSP for Fluoxetine 40mg capsules was withdrawn after ‘sufficient stock’ of the drug had been made available to meet ‘normal demand’.
A full list of active SSPs have been published on the NHS Business Services Authority’s website.
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