Serious Shortage Protocol published updates for March

Written by admin on Friday 2nd April 2021

SSP011 for Competact® 15mg/850mg tablets now added to existing four* other SSPs currently active

 

In response to significant ongoing disruption to the supply of Competact® 15mg/850mg tablets, a Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) has been issued by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).

Introduced with immediate effect from Wednesday 24th March 2021, SSP011 has been developed by clinicians and provides pharmacists with procedures to follow in providing suitable alternative products. SSP011 authorises that for every Competact® 15mg/850mg tablet originally prescribed, one Pioglitazone 15mg tablet and one Metformin 850mg tablet must be supplied. It has been authorised by the Secretary of State to help manage the supply of this product and to try to ensure that fewer patients have to return to their prescriber.

All community pharmacy teams will receive an email to their shared NHSmail account informing them of this SSP. 

Actions required:

Community pharmacy contractors and their teams are asked to read the document below in full and to implement the protocol with immediate effect on Wednesday 24th March 2021. Note, the SSP may be amended or revoked at any time but currently expires on Wednesday 7th May 2021 – PSNC will update contractors on any changes.

The pharmacist must exercise their professional judgement to ensure the alternative products are suitable for the patient.

Reimbursement is for the medicines supplied in accordance with SSP011 and not the originally prescribed medicine i.e. in this instance contractors will be reimbursed the Drug Tariff Part VIIIA reimbursement price for Pioglitazone 15mg tablets and for Metformin 850mg tablets (or any concessionary price granted, where applicable). The reimbursement price will account for VAT payment. Supply in accordance with the SSP will result in the following fees being paid to the contractor:

  • One Single Activity fee (currently £1.27)
  • One SSP fee (£5.35)

*Please note: SSP010 - Levothyroxine 12.5mcg tablets expiring on 1st April 2021:

DHSC has announced that sufficient stock of Levothyroxine 12.5mcg tablets is now available to supply normal demand. As a result of this the SSP010 for Levothyroxine 12.5mcg tablets expires at 23.59pm on 1st April 2021.

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