The Government has announced two further serious shortage protocols to allow pharmacists more flexibility in dispensing antibiotic formulations.
It follows the introduction of new rules on last week to allow pharmacists to dispense alternative forms of phenoxymethylpenicillin amidst ongoing shortages.
Pharmacists can now provide an alternative for phenoxymethylpenicillin 250mg/5ml oral solution phenoxymethylpenicillin 125mg/5ml oral solution as well as the sugar free versions and phenoxymethylpenicillin 250mg tablets.
The measure had been put in place in response to ongoing high demand for antibiotics for treating strep A and scarlet fever.
In extending the serious shortage protocol from three to five medicines, the Department of Health and Social Care said it would ‘give pharmacists the flexibility they need to supply an alternative antibiotic or formulation of penicillin and will ensure patients can continue to receive the medicine they need to treat the infection’.
The notification said: ‘Demand for penicillin has risen recently as it is used to treat strep A and scarlet fever, and the increased demand means that some pharmacists are experiencing temporary and localised supply issues, and may not have the specific formulation listed on the prescription.’
Last week several antibiotics used to treat strep A infections were added to the list of medicines that cannot be exported from the UK or hoarded.
Amoxicillin and penicillin V are included on the list issued by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), along with azithromycin and cefalexin.
The Competition and Markets Authority has also confirmed will be investigating after reports from pharmacists that antibiotic prices have increased amidst the heightened demand.
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.
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