Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) for three phenoxymethylpenicillin products, UK Pharmacists and Pharmacies have received communication for the Royal Pharmaceutical Society yesterday (15th December 2022) regarding the addition of 3 penicillin products to the list of products impacted by serious shortages in supply.
This is in response to an increase in paediatric prescribing of Phenoxymethylpenicillin oral liquids as a consequence of an increase in Strep A infections.
The Serious Shortage Protocols – SSPs are for:
Phenoxymethylpenicillin 250mg/5ml oral solution – SSP042
Phenoxymethylpenicillin 250mg/5ml oral solution sugar free – SSP041
Phenoxymethylpenicillin 125mg/5ml oral solution sugar free – SSP040
The SSPs will enable community pharmacists in the UK to supply specified substituted phenoxymethylpenicillin products up to the duration of treatment prescribed. The SSPs are currently due to expire on Friday 31 January 2023.
The main substitutions allowed are sugar-free versions of oral liquids replaced with non sugar-free versions or vice versa, or tablets where the patient can accommodate them. Extra guidance for using solid dose formulations for children can be found here:
https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/using-solid-oral-dosage-form-antibiotics-in-children/
For pharmacists in Scotland, substitutions for quantity, strength and formulation are covered in routine practice.
Further information, the SSPs along with supporting information can be found on the NHS Business Service Authority (BSA)’s dedicated SSP web page.
Further information about Strep A can be found here: