Published: 16/01/23

This Circular advises of a Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) in place for Estradot® (Estradiol) 50 microgram patch, from 25 January 2023 to 17 February 2023.

Changes made to the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 and the NHS (Pharmaceutical Services) (Scotland) Regulations 2009, the latter of which became effective from 31 October 2019, allow the use of Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs).

An SSP is an additional tool to manage and mitigate medication shortages and may be used when other measures have been exhausted or are likely to be ineffective. There are two types of SSP; one that covers prescription only medicines and another that covers pharmacy and general sales list medicines and appliances.

Each SSP is individually developed and authorised clinically, to enable community pharmacists and dispensing doctors to dispense a different strength or formulation or alternative medicine or appliances in accordance with the protocol, rather than having to refer prescribing decisions back to the original prescriber. These protocols are time limited.

Community pharmacists are expected to use their professional skill and judgement to decide whether it is reasonable and appropriate to substitute a person's prescribed medicine using the SSP. The person will also have to agree to the alternative supply.

Certain classes of medicines, for example cytotoxic medicines, biologics, antiepileptic medicines and certain antipsychotic medicines, are not considered to be suitable for SSPs due to concerns about ensuring bioequivalence. In these cases, people should be referred back to the prescriber for any decision about their treatment before any therapeutic or generic alternative is supplied.

To assist in alleviating the current supply issues with a number of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) products availability, various UK-wide SSPs have been issued by the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC), in consultation with the Scottish Government. The DHSC frequently reviews which HRT products should be under an SSP and for how long they need to be in place.

The addition of new SSPs and any amendments or extensions to existing SSPs are documented on the NHS Business Services Authority website using the following link: Serious shortage protocols (SSPs) | NHSBSA.

Medicine supply situation requiring the use of an SSP

A supply issue with Estradot® (Estradiol) 50 microgram patch has been identified. In order to manage stock supplies fairly and effectively, there is a UK-wide SSP in place, which allows community pharmacists to substitute a prescription of this product with the same quantity of Evorel® (Estradiol) 50 microgram patches. This SSP can be accessed using the following link: SSP048 Estradot 50mcg patches FINAL 23012023.pdf (nhsbsa.nhs.uk)

Operational Overview

Between 25 January 2023 and 17 February 2023, for patients presenting with an NHS or private prescription for a supply of Estradot® 50 microgram patch, community pharmacists may substitute this product with the same quantity of Evorel® 50 microgram patch in accordance with the SSP for eligible patients. This protocol does not allow for the quantity supplied to be less than the number of days prescribed on the original prescription.

Community pharmacists are asked to review and familiarise themselves with the scope and the clinical situation to which this SSP applies, as outlined in the guidance provided within SSP 048.

When a substitution is made, pharmacists need to ensure that the patient’s prescriber and/or GP practice is notified in accordance with this SSP within 24 hours.

Community pharmacists are asked to ensure that patients who are supplied in accordance with this SSP are counselled by the pharmacist with regards to monitoring and managing potential side effects, such as:

• Vaginal ‘breakthrough bleeding’;

• Irritation caused by wearing a different patch to one they are used to;

• Patches coming off or not adhering properly.

Patients who experience persistent side effects from alternative patches supplied in accordance with this SSP should be promptly referred back to their prescriber.

If a patient or their carer declines to receive the medicine under this SSP, the pharmacist should use their professional judgement to determine if other courses of action are appropriate whilst taking into consideration wider supply issues. If this does not address their concerns, the patient should be referred back to their prescriber for advice.

Additional information

Please see links for further advice on alternative hormone replacement therapies:

• CKS Hormone replacement therapy

• British Menopause Society – HRT preparations and equivalent alternatives

Please see the Specialist Pharmacy Service website for advice on prescribing and availability of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) products:

• Prescribing available HRT products – SPS - Specialist Pharmacy Service

Fees and Endorsements

When an SSP is introduced, the pharmacist should use the Other endorsement function quoting SSP and the relevant reference number – in this case add SSP 048. A community pharmacy contractor will receive a multiplier per item of 5 (x5), via the dispensing pool, for any necessary supply in accordance with SSPs. Endorsements must be made in line with the SSP to be eligible for payment.

The paper form should be endorsed PMR with details added of what was supplied as well as ‘SSP 048’ annotated. This is to ensure accurate reimbursement for non-barcoded forms or where an electronic claim message is unavailable.

Enquiries

For any queries on the details of this circular, please contact the Scottish Government Pharmacy Team at PharmacyTeam@gov.scot.