The Government has changed the rules to allow pharmacists to supply different forms of antibiotics to help manage ‘local supply issues’.
A serious shortage protocol has been issued for phenoxymethylpenicillin 250mg/5ml oral solution sugar free, phenoxymethylpenicillin 250mg/5ml oral solution and phenoxymethylpenicillin 125mg/5ml oral solution sugar free.
Pharmacists will be able to dispense alternative formulations according to what they have in stock without a GP having to write a new prescription.
The Department of Health and Social Care said the measure had been put in place in response to ongoing high demand for antibiotics for treating strep A and scarlet fever.
Similar steps have been taken in response to other medicines shortages including for hormone replacement therapy.
It follows steps earlier this week to add several antibiotics used to treat strep A infections to the list of medicines that cannot be exported from the UK or hoarded.
Amoxicillin and penicillin V are on the list issued by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), along with azithromycin and cefalexin.
GP consultations for scarlet fever and disease notifications are rising more steeply than expected for this time of year as are cases of invasive group A streptococcus, although less pronounced, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has warned.
Minister of state for health Will Quince said: ‘The increased demand for the antibiotics prescribed to treat strep A has meant some pharmacists have been unable to supply the medicine shown on the prescription.
‘These Serious Shortage Protocols will allow pharmacists to supply an alternative form of penicillin, which will make things easier for them, patients, and GPs.’
He added the Government was continuing to work with manufacturers and wholesalers to speed up deliveries and boost supply to meet demand as quickly as possible.
Yesterday, the Competition and Markets Authority confirmed it was investigating after reports from pharmacists that antibiotic prices have increased amidst the heightened demand.
They told us there was no shortage 😉 .
Oh, good, so at least now the Pharmacists will be the ones becoming responsible for handing out ‘off-licence’ medicines, like it always should have been, not dumping on GPs.
But will the pharmacists realise what a poisoned chalice they may have beeen given?
So, its ok to change the active ingredient, but not to supply a tablet instead of a capsule if they aren’t available, or give 2 x 25mg when the 50mg isn’t available – makes no sense to me. Particularly as when I first when into GP one didn’t even have to specify the form of the pharmaceutical as in 99 times out of 100 it really isn’t important whether they issue a pill, capsule or potion.
Meanwhile in Europe, you can prescribe by brand and pharmacists can swap things around for you as long as the active ingredient is the same.
Never happened. Nothing is wrong. Sweep it under the carpet – NHS classic cover up. I read: Pharmacists allowed to swap childrens.
No pharmacists I know has done any swapping. Still flooded with requests. Is it due to Brexit?