Following the announcement on
Thursday December 15 on Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs), five
new SSPs have been issued.
This has extended the alternative antibiotics or formulation
pharmacists can supply if they don’t have the medicine on the
prescription in stock.
GPs will continue to prescribe penicillin for those patients who
need this course of treatment.
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.
These SSPs give pharmacists the flexibility they need to supply
an alternative antibiotic or formulation of penicillin and will
ensure patients can continue to receive the medicine they need to
treat the infection.
The SSPs apply to the following medicines:
- Phenoxymethylpenicillin 125mg/5ml oral solution
- Phenoxymethylpenicillin 125mg/5ml oral solution sugar free
- Phenoxymethylpenicillin 250mg/5ml oral solution
- Phenoxymethylpenicillin 250mg/5ml oral solution sugar free
- Phenoxymethylpenicillin 250mg tablets
SSPs are a standard procedure, used frequently to manage
temporary and potential medicine supply issues.
They are a safe and effective way to ensure that medicines
continue to be available for everyone who needs them, while
saving time for patients, pharmacists and prescribers.
