Background:

The DHSC is responsible for the continuity of supply of medicines and manufacturers have a legal requirement to inform DHSC of any supply problems.

DHSC and NHSE/I have now launched an online Medicines Supply Tool, which provides up to date information about medicine supply issues. The contents of this report can now be viewed on the Tool. To access the Tool, you will be required to register with the SPS website. Please be aware that emails from SPS may be diverted to your junk mail folder.

Further information may be issued by a Medicine Supply Notification (MSN) to providers.

We are also aware that prescribers may also be asked for an alternative by pharmacies if there is a local supply issue.  This will need to be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) have also recently been introduced to enable community pharmacies to dispense agreed alternatives without requesting a prescription amendment.

How to access information:

SPS Medicines Supply Tool :  Requires simple free registration process and log in to access –  Medicines Supply Tool – SPS – Specialist Pharmacy Service – The first stop for professional medicines advice

Mims Shortage Tracker : requires registration and is  only available to subscribers – not free Drug shortages – live tracker | MIMS online

Current SSPs: https://psnc.org.uk/dispensing-supply/supply-chain/live-ssps/

BSW ICB Medicines Shortages - Local tips

Medication Unavailable - alternative request form for Community Pharmacy use

 

Prescribing available medicines to treat ADHD during national shortages

Oct 2023 - National information, including links to the relevant National Patient Safety Alert and lists of availability of ADHD medicines (content maintained by DHSC) is hosted by SPS Medicine Supply Tool https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/prescribing-available-medicines-to-treat-adhd/ [note SPS website requires users to register and log in].

Additionally, SPS have published a series of national resources to support the ongoing management of supply disruption of medicines used to treat ADHD:-

Medicines Information Bulletin from AWP - Managing ADHD Medicines Shortages in ADULTS: Advice for Primary Care (October - August 2024)

BSW ICB commission a CAMHS service from Oxford for ADHD in children and young people. They have produced Patient Information Leaflets to be shared with patients. These leaflets can be found here: ADHD medication shortage | Oxford Health CAMHS

This information from a bordering CAMHS service might be useful:
AWP Sirona and CAMHs information for children and young people - Managing ADHD Medicine Shortages in CAMHS: Advice for Primary Care (October – December 2023)

Community paediatric teams contact information:

HCRG Contacts
Wiltshire SPA
Telephone 03002470090
Email vcl.wiltshirespa@nhs.net
BANES SPA
Telephone 03002470055
Email hcrg.bathnesspa@nhs.net
Swindon area
Contact via Cinapsis advice and guidance email for Community Paediatrics
CAMHS Services – Oxfordshire 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday
Oxfordshire Neurodevelopmental Conditions Pathway NDC.OxonCAMHS@oxfordhealth.nhs.uk
Getting More Help South OxonCAMHSGMHSouth@oxfordhealth.nhs.uk

 

 

Prescribing available GLP-1 receptor agonists during national shortages:

Prescribing available GLP-1 receptor agonists during national shortages (now reported as resolved) see  FAQs - GLP-1 RA shortages (now resolved) Diabetes UK

In January 2024, a National Patient Safety Alert (NatPSA) on the shortage of GLP-1 receptor agonists  noted that supply of GLP-1 RAs was not expected to return to normal until at least the end of 2024. The national alert contained actions for clinicians and prescribers of GLP-1 RAs and should be read in full. Local communication, including support for practices in BSW via a prescribing incentive scheme were issued by the BSW medicines optimisation team.

In March 2024, DHSC cascaded a further Medicine Supply Notification Medicine Supply Notification: Supply issues with multiple GLP-1 RA products - Community Pharmacy England (cpe.org.uk)

For up-to-date stock information, please continue to utilise the national data hosted by SPS Medicine Supply Tool Shortage of GLP-1 receptor agonists used in the management of type 2 diabetes (semaglutide, dulaglutide, liraglutide, exenatide) – SPS - Specialist Pharmacy Service – The first stop for professional medicines advice [note SPS website requires users to register and log in).

Further Comments:

OptimiseRx also create messages if there are known supply issues with the prescribed medication at the point of prescribing to alert the prescriber to consider an alternative.

Contact bswicb.prescribing@nhs.net for support with specific shortages or feedback.