This Circular advises NHS Boards and community pharmacy contractors of the new hormone replacement therapy Pre-Payment Certificates that have been introduced in NHS England in April 2023.

This Circular advises NHS Boards and community pharmacy contractors that five of the UK-wide Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) for Phenoxymethylpenicillin products that were issued on 16 December (SSPs 043-047) have been amended to allow pharmacists to supply azithromycin as a further alternative antibiotic. The expiry date for the amended SSPs still remains the 31 January 2023.

This Circular advises NHS Boards and community pharmacy contractors that the 12 UK-wide active Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) for HRT products due to expire on 28 October 2022, have now been extended.

The Scottish Government have released Circular PAC(P)(2022)29 which advises of an extension to the Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) in place for Estraderm MX® 100 microgram patch, in place from 8 September, extended to 30 September 2022.

To advise of an extension to the Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) in place for Estraderm MX® 25 microgram patch, in place from 8 September, extended to 30 September 2022.

This Circular advises NHS Boards and community pharmacy contractors of an extension on 12 Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) issued recently for Hormone Replacement Therapies.

The Scottish Government has released ten new circulars outlining the introduction of temporary serious shortage protocols (SSPs) to help pharmacy teams manage demand for HRT products in short supply – these relate to Premique Low Dose tablets, Oestrogel, Ovestin, Lenzetto spray and Sandrena gel. In addition to the 3 SSPs released in late April, there are now a total of 13 live SSPs.

To advise of a Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) in place for Premique® Low Dose 0.3mg/1.5mg modified-release tablets, from 29 April to 29 July 2022.

To advise of a Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) in place for Ovestin® 1mg cream, from 29 April to 29 July 2022.

To advise of a Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) in place for Oestrogel® Pump-Pack 0.06% gel, from 29 April to 29 July 2022.

This Circular advises community pharmacy contractors and NHS Boards with the latest update on the availability of all Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) products marketed in the UK.