British Menopause Society update on HRT supply shortages 09/08/2019

In response to the recent reports of HRT shortages, the British Menopause Society has produced an update on the current availability of HRT products. This provides guidance to BMS members, clinicians and patients who may be experiencing difficulties in obtaining HRT supplies. Please see here

Sunscreen ACBS guidance

Please note that the ACBS criteria for supplying sunscreen on prescription has been updated in the August Drug Tariff.

This replaces the old wider criteria and means that more patients will have to be advised to self-care as prescribers would be breaching their terms of service if they prescribed for patients not considered "severe".

The formulary has been updated to reflect this. Please see here

Emerade (adrenaline) Syringes- Medicines defect information

Bausch & Lomb UK limited has informed health care professionals of a risk of Emerade product failing to deliver a dose of adrenaline from the syringe due to blockage of the needle.Patients and their carers, who have been supplied with an Emerade device should  always carry two in-date adrenaline autoinjectors with them at all times. For more information please refer to medicines defect information.

Important drug supply issue affecting Salbutamol 2mg/5ml syrup

For patients who do not have sufficient supplies to last until early August, clinicians should consider prescribing alternative options during this time including unlicensed supplies of Salbutamol 2mg/5ml syrup. Clinicians will need to work with local pharmacies to understand more about the specific unlicensed products that can be sourced. Clinicians should refer to the UKMI memo for further advice if an unlicensed supply of Salbutamol 2mg/5ml syrup is considered unsuitable.

FreeStyle Libre®

FreeStyle Libre® is AMBER on the Dorset formulary and therefore, following secondary care initiation, may be prescribed in primary care. 

06/06/2019

Pfizer Epanutin® (phenytoin) 30mg/5ml oral suspension will be out of stock from the week commencing 10 June 2019 until late July 2019.

DHSC have published the following documents: 

Re: Interim supply arrangements for Epanutin® (phenytoin) 30mg/5ml oral suspension to mitigate supply disruption

Supply Disruption Alert - Epanutin® (phenytoin) 30mg/5ml Oral Suspension – Supply Disruption

Epanutin® PIL and SPC

DILANTIN® PIL and Monograph