PCA(P)(2026)01 - Creon® Serious Shortage Protocol Extension

Published: 19th January 2026

Community pharmacy teams should be aware of updated Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) extensions relating to Creon® gastro‑resistant capsules. These changes affect supply timeframes and require pharmacists to apply professional judgement while continuing to follow all existing protocol conditions.

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Extension to Serious Shortage Protocols for Creon® Gastro‑Resistant Capsules

This Circular advises Health Boards and community pharmacy contractors that two UK‑wide Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) for Creon® gastro‑resistant capsules, both due to expire on 16 January 2026, have been extended.

The extension applies to SSP060 (Creon® 10000), which has been extended until Friday 30 January 2026, and SSP061 (Creon® 25000), which has been extended until Friday 17 April 2026. All other terms of these two SSPs remain unchanged. Under both SSPs, community pharmacists may continue to restrict the total quantity supplied to one month’s supply of the prescribed medicine.

Community pharmacists are advised to review and familiarise themselves with the new end dates for the above‑noted SSPs.

Background

To assist in alleviating current supply issues with medicines availability, various UK‑wide SSPs have been issued by the Department of 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 clinically authorised to enable community pharmacists and dispensing doctors to dispense a different strength or formulation or an alternative medicine or appliance in accordance with the protocol, rather than having to refer prescribing decisions back to the original prescriber. These protocols are time‑limited.

Community pharmacists are expected to use their professional skill and judgement to decide whether it is reasonable and appropriate to substitute a person’s prescribed medicine using the SSP. The person will also have to agree to the alternative supply.

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

Any amendments or extensions to existing SSPs are documented on the NHS Business Services Authority website: 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.

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