First SSPs issued to address shortages of fluoxetine

Following legislation that came into effect on 1st July 2019 that enables pharmacists to dispense against a protocol instead of a prescription, the Department of Health and Social Care introduced serious shortage protocols on 3rd October 2019 so pharmacists can supply alternative strengths or pharmaceutical forms of the antidepressant fluoxetine without contacting a patient’s prescriber. The SSPs will remain in situ whilst manufacturing issues result in a short supply of some 10mg, 30mg and 40mg fluoxetine capsules, potentially December of this year, with a separate SSP being in place for each strength.
Restrictions have also been put in place on exporting 19 hormone replacement therapy products to address shortages, and to prevent medicine wholesalers from parallel exporting. Exporting restrictions have also been brought in for a further five medicines, including all adrenaline auto-injectors and hepatitis B vaccines, which have also been in short supply.
President of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, Sandra Gidley, said: “If a pharmacist can sort out a patient’s requirements from existing stock it will save a lot of time and this can only be good news for patients. These shortage problems have been in existence for more than ten years, and although they are worse now than ever, the prime consideration must be patients. Anything the government can do to ensure they get their medicines is welcomed.”