The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has issued 5 further Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) for phenoxymethylpenicillin products which enables therapeutic substitution. These are the 5 SSPs:
- Phenoxymethylpenicillin 125mg/5ml oral solution (SSP043)
- Phenoxymethylpenicillin 125mg/5ml oral solution sugar free (SSP044)
- Phenoxymethylpenicillin 250mg/5ml oral solution (SSP045)
- Phenoxymethylpenicillin 250mg/5ml oral solution sugar free (SSP046)
- Phenoxymethylpenicillin 250mg tablets (SSP047)
The SSPs will enable community pharmacists in the UK to supply specified alternatives to phenoxymethylpenicillin up to the duration of treatment prescribed. The SSPs came into effect today and are currently due to expire on Friday 31 January 2023.
These are in addition to the SSPs that were issued yesterday (15 December 2022) which enable pharmacists in the UK to supply specified substituted formulations of phenoxymethylpenicillin.
Working with PSNC and NPA we have summarised the substitution options provided by the SSPs. The illustration is designed to be used alongside the additional detail within the individual SSPs.
We recognise the challenges pharmacy teams are facing this winter, these SSPs will provide flexibilities to help you support your patients to get the right medicine at the right time. This will reduce the likelihood of harm that can occur when patients cannot obtain antibiotics.
Further information, the SSPs along with supporting information can be found on the NHS Business Service Authority (BSA)’s dedicated SSP web page. PSNC also has SSP guidance for community pharmacy