Published: 16/01/23

This Circular advises NHS Boards and community pharmacy contractors that five of the UK-wide active Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) products due to expire on 13 January 2023, have now been extended.

The extensions are applicable to the following HRT products: Sandrena® 500 microgram and 1mg gel sachets and Estraderm MX® 100 and 75 microgram patches that will be extended until Friday 27 January 2023. The SSPs for Lenzeto® spray have not been extended and will expire on Friday 13 January 2023. Please refer to Annex A for a detailed list of all five SSPs which have been extended.

Background

To assist in alleviating the current issues with HRT availability, various UK-wide SSPs have been issued by the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC), in consultation with the Scottish Government. An SSP is an additional tool to manage and mitigate medication shortages for prescribing clinicians, community pharmacies and importantly patients.

Each SSP is individually developed and authorised clinically, to enable community pharmacists and dispensing doctors to dispense a different strength or formulation or alternative medicine or appliances in accordance with the protocol, rather than having to refer prescribing decisions back to the original prescriber. These protocols are time limited.

The DHSC frequently reviews which HRT products should be under an SSP and for how long they need to be in place.

The addition of new SSPs and any amendments or extensions to existing SSPs are documented on the NHS Business Services Authority website using the following link: Serious shortage protocols (SSPs) | NHSBSA.

Enquiries

For any queries on the details of this circular, please contact the Scottish Government Pharmacy Team at PharmacyTeam@gov.scot.

Action

Health Boards are asked to note the contents of this Circular and to bring it to the attention of community pharmacy contractors on their Pharmaceutical Lists and Area Pharmaceutical Committees. This Circular should also be brought to the attention of General Practices.