In February 2019, the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 were changed to introduce SSPs.
Further changes came into force in July 2019, in the NHS (amendments relating to serious shortage protocols) Regulations 2019.
If the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) decide there is a serious shortage of a specific medicine or appliance, then an SSP may be issued.
The contractor must use their professional skill and judgement to decide, alongside medical experts, whether it's reasonable and appropriate to substitute the patient's prescribed order for the active SSP. The patient would also have to agree to the alternative supply for that dispensing month.
Contractors should check the tables for the latest information for each SSP's validity, as they can change.
SSP updates
March 2020
| Name of SSP \ ref no. | Start and end date | Supporting guidance |
|---|---|---|
| 12 Mar 20 to 12 Jun 20 | Fluoxetine supporting guidance plus Q&A (PDF : 103KB) | |
|
SSP04 Haloperidol (Serenace) 500 microgram (mcg) capsules (PDF:107KB) |
23 Dec 19 to 23 Mar 20 | Haloperidol supporting guidance plus Q&A (PDF:125KB) |
December 2019
| Name of SSP \ ref no. | Start and end date | Supporting guidance |
|---|---|---|
| SSP04 Haloperidol (Serenace) 500 microgram (mcg) capsules (PDF:107KB) | 23 Dec 19 to 23 Mar 20 | Haloperidol supporting guidance plus Q&A (PDF:125KB) |
|
3 Oct 19 to 18 Dec 19 This SSP has been varied - the revised end date is now 18 Dec 19, and supply in accordance with this SSP is now 1 x 10mg Fluoxetine capsule PLUS 1 x 20mg Fluoxetine capsule. |
Fluoxetine supporting endorsement guidance (PDF: 139KB) |
November 2019
| Name of SSP \ ref no. | Start and end date | Supporting guidance |
|---|---|---|
| SSP02 Fluoxetine 30mg capsules (PDF:124KB) |
3 Oct 19 to 18 Dec 19 This SSP has been varied - the revised end date is now 18 Dec 19, and supply in accordance with this SSP is now 1 x 10mg Fluoxetine capsule PLUS 1 x 20mg Fluoxetine capsule. |
Fluoxetine supporting endorsement guidance (PDF: 139KB) |
| SSP03 Fluoxetine 40mg capsules (PDF:131KB) |
3 Oct 19 to 31 Oct 19 This SSP has been varied – the revised end date is now 20 Nov 19. This SSP was withdrawn on 20 Nov 19 at 23.55. |
October 2019
The Serious Shortage Protocols for fluoxetine 30mg capsules and fluoxetine 40mg capsules are being varied to extend the end date, which was previously 31 October 2019.
| Name of SSP \ ref no. | Start and end date | Supporting guidance |
|---|---|---|
| SSP01 Fluoxetine 10mg capsules (PDF:151KB) |
3 Oct 19 to 31 Oct 19 This SSP was withdrawn on 25 Oct 19 at 23:55. |
Fluoxetine supporting endorsement guidance (PDF: 139KB) |
| SSP02 Fluoxetine 30mg capsules (PDF:131KB) |
3 Oct 19 to 31 Oct 19 This SSP has been varied – the revised end date is now 20 Nov 19. |
|
| SSP03 Fluoxetine 40mg capsules (PDF:131KB) |
3 Oct 19 to 31 Oct 19 This SSP has been varied – the revised end date is now 20 Nov 19. |
General guidance for SSP
Serious Shortage Protocols Operational Guidance (PDF:162KB)Serious Shortage Protocols Questions and Answers (PDF:168KB)