Skip to content
Search
Please enter at least 3 characters.

Latest Stories

DHSC allows pharmacists to supply alternative medicines for Strep A, issues SSPs for 3 antibiotics

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has allowed pharmacists to supply alternative penicillin to treat Strep A. It has issued Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) for three penicillin medicines.

“The SSPs will help mitigate local supply issues of oral penicillin and allow pharmacists to supply alternative forms of the medicine if they do not have the specific formulation stated on the prescription,” said DHSC.


SSPs have been issued across the UK for 3 penicillin medicines on Thursday (December 15.

“Issuing an SSP allows pharmacists to legally supply a specified alternative medicine, removing the need for the patient to return to the prescriber – which saves time in GP practices and inconvenience for patients.”

"Demand for penicillin has risen recently as it is used to treat strep A and scarlet fever, and the increased demand means that some pharmacists are experiencing temporary and localised supply issues and may not have the specific formulation listed on the prescription."

DHSC also said that there are 9 other SSPs currently active. They have been used to improve patients’ access to hormone replacement therapy drugs and were used extensively during the pandemic.

The SSPs apply to the following medicines:

  • phenoxymethylpenicillin 250mg/5ml oral solution sugar free
  • phenoxymethylpenicillin 250mg/5ml oral solution
  • phenoxymethylpenicillin 125mg/5ml oral solution sugar free

Gordon Hockey, the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC)’s Director, Legal, said: “We asked DHSC to introduce Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) to help mitigate the ongoing supply disruption affecting the availability of phenoxymethylpenicillin (Pen V) and are pleased to see that some have now been introduced.

"However, PSNC was not involved in the development of these protocols and our team is urgently clarifying some points to provide contractors with additional guidance and to seek assurances around the reimbursement of any alternatives supplied. We will issue our additional guidance as soon as possible.

More widely, PSNC has also been pressing DHSC to think broadly about what other measures could help to manage the current situation and consider the introduction of greater flexibilities, such as allowing pharmacists more professional discretion to amend prescriptions separate to SSPs.”

Chair of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) in England, Thorrun Govind, is worried stock issues could significantly increase the workload for already stretched pharmacy teams and hopes "to see a change in the law which makes the whole process of supply of medicines easier and quicker for both pharmacists and patients".

She said: "We urge the Government to amend medicines legislation to allow pharmacists to make minor amendments to a prescription without any protocol being needed. At present a prescription can only be changed by the prescriber, which causes unnecessary workload for GPs and delays for patients."

“We want to see all pharmacists across the UK enabled to change prescriptions and be able to supply a different quantity, strength or formulation of a medicine (for example changing capsules to tablets) on a daily basis, to avoid unnecessary bureaucracy and the need for an SSP to be developed, signed and authorised by a Minister. In effect it would mean that pharmacists can help patients straight away – it would future proof the problem to some degree.

“Such substitutions have been standard routine practice for pharmacists in hospitals for years and are already used in Scotland. Patients in England and Wales should be able to benefit in the same way. None of these proposed amends would involve therapeutic substitution, so pharmacists would not be involved in changing treatments.

“Patients need timely access to medicines and pharmacists want to be better able to help people manage the supply of their medicines with consistency across the UK. We call on the Government to resolve this issue as soon as possible.”

More For You

Royal College status: The PDA calls for ‘meaningful and collaborative dialogue’

The profession’s success will depend on collaboration across all sectors, says PDA.

gettyimages

Royal College vote: Less than 7% of GB pharmacists in favour, says PDA

The Pharmacists’ Defence Association (PDA) has criticised the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) for moving too quickly to a ballot on its proposed transition to a Royal College, arguing that it resulted in low participation from pharmacists in Great Britain.

Announcing the results of the special resolution vote, the RPS said that the outcome was a “clear mandate” in favour of the transformative change.

Keep ReadingShow less
RPS Wales calls for urgent investment in pharmacy workforce at Senedd meeting

Third from the left: Eluned Morgan, First Minister of Wales

Photo credit: RPS

Invest in pharmacy workforce: RPS Wales urges Senedd members

Members of the Senedd (MSs) were briefed on the increasing pressures facing pharmacy teams and the urgent need for action to support their health and wellbeing at an event hosted by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) Wales.

The event, held on Wednesday, brought together MSs, including first minister Eluned Morgan, to discuss the findings of RPS’ latest Workforce Wellbeing Survey.

Keep ReadingShow less
Imported dengue reach record high, warns UKSHA

Most dengue cases were linked to travel to Southern and South-Eastern Asia.

Getty Images

Imported dengue cases hit record high – Consult your pharmacist before you travel

The UK Health Security Agency (UKSHA) has warned that imported dengue cases in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland (EWNI) have reached their highest level since dengue surveillance began in 2009.

New data from the agency reveals that 904 dengue cases were reported among returning travellers in these countries in 2024, a sharp increase from 631 in 2023.

Keep ReadingShow less
Henry Gregg named as new NPA chief executive

Henry Gregg (left) with Sir Chris Whitty

Pic credit: Henry Gregg/X

Henry Gregg named as new NPA chief executive

The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has announced Henry Gregg will be the organisation’s new chief executive from May.

Gregg, who is currently director of external affairs at Asthma + Lung UK, replaces Paul Rees who departed in January.

Keep ReadingShow less
Community pharmacist accessing GP Connect Access Record on Cegedim Rx platform

GP Connect Access Record will make a patient’s relevant medical information available to pharmacy.

Getty Images

Cegedim Rx activates GP Connect Access Record

Community pharmacy IT supplier Cegedim Rx has made GP Connect Access Record functionality available across its clinical services platform, providing registered pharmacy professionals with enhanced access to patient medical information.

The new feature, now live on Cegedim Rx’s Pharmacy Services platform, allows community pharmacies to retrieve relevant medical data when delivering NHS clinical services.

Keep ReadingShow less