03/12/2019 - We are now in Flu Season 

Surveillance data indicates an increase in influenza cases in the community. Prescribers may now prescribe and pharmacists may now supply antiviral medicines for the prophylaxis and treatment of influenza at NHS expense.  

Please see here for further information 

Shortages update - 28th October

Opicapone 50mg capsules will be out of stock from mid-November to mid-January 2020 - see CAS alert for details.

Fluoxetine 10mg capsules are now available therefore the SSP has been withdrawn.  The SSPs for 30mg and 40mg capsules are still in place.

Paroxetine oral solution is out of stock from the end of October to January 2020.  Unlicensed imports are available; the tablets can also be crushed and mixed with water (note this is off-label and the tablets are bitter with slight local anaesthetic effects).

Nifedipine 5mg and 10mg capsules

Adalat brand was discontinued earlier in the year.

Generic brand is now available from Relonchem

16th October - Ranitidine supply issue 

• All oral formulations of ranitidine are anticipated to be out of stock, with no date for resupply until further notice.

• An investigation by the Swiss and German regulatory agencies and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), has identified a contaminant, N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), in samples of ranitidine active substance.

• All stock manufactured for the UK using the affected ranitidine active substance has been quarantined, whilst Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) investigations are ongoing.
• Although all oral formulations are expected to be out of stock, very limited supplies of unaffected oral ranitidine products may remain available and should be reserved for those patients in whom alternatives are not clinically appropriate.
• All other patients should be reviewed as repeat prescriptions are requested, and if ongoing treatment is required, be switched to clinical alternatives.
• Please see the CAS alert for details about actions required and alternatives

14th October 2019 - Updates to shortages

Phenelzine now unavailable until March 2020 (see drug entry for details)

Adrenaline auto-injectors

• Emerade supplies expected w/c 14th October
• Reports of Emerade auto-injectors failing to activate, patients must carry two pens at all times
• Some batches of EpiPen and Jext have had their expiry dates extended - see epipen.co.uk and jext.co.uk for details
• Further details can be found here (N3 connection required)

11th October

Serious shortage protocols for fluoxetine

Serious shortage protocols are available for use with the fluoxetine capsule shortage see here.