SSP053 for Clarithromycin 125mg/5ml oral suspension further extended

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has provided an update on the Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) for Clarithromycin 125mg/5ml (SSP053). SSP053 was due to expire on 15 December 2023 but the end date has been further extended to Friday 12 January 2024.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has provided an update on the Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) for Clarithromycin 125mg/5ml (SSP053). SSP053 was due to expire on 8 December 2023 but the end date has been further extended to Friday 15 December 2023.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has provided an update on the Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) for Clarithromycin 125mg/5ml (SSP053). SSP053 was due to expire on 17 November but the end date has been further extended to Friday 8 December 2023.

SSP054 Clarithromycin 250mg/5ml oral suspension expires at 23:59pm on Friday 17 November 2023.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has provided an update on the Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) for Clarithromycin 125mg/5ml and 250mg/5ml oral suspensions (SSP053 and SSP054). SSP053 and SSP054 were due to expire on 29 September but the end date has been further extended to Friday 17 November 2023.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has provided an update on the Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) for Clarithromycin 125mg/5ml and 250mg/5ml oral suspensions (SSP053 and SSP054). SSP053 and SSP054 were due to expire on 21 July but the end date has been further extended to Friday 29 September 2023.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has provided an update on the Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) for Clarithromycin 125mg/5ml and 250mg/5ml oral suspensions (SSP053 and SSP054). SSP053 and SSP054 were due to expire on 23 June but the end date has been further extended to Friday 21 July 2023.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has provided an update on the Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) for Clarithromycin 125mg/5ml and 250mg/5ml oral suspensions (SSP053 and SSP054). SSP053 and SSP054 were due to expire on 26 May but the end date has been further extended to Friday 23 June 2023.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has provided an update on the Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) for Clarithromycin 125mg/5ml and 250mg/5ml oral suspensions (SSP053 and SSP054). SSP053 and SSP054 were due to expire on 28 April but the end date has been further extended to Friday 26 May 2023.

In response to a significant ongoing disruption to the supply of Clarithromycin 125mg/5ml and 250mg/5ml oral suspension, two new Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) have been issued by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).

Effective 6 April 2023, SSP053 and SSP054 provides for the following:

• SSP053 – for every 5ml of Clarithromycin 125mg/5ml oral suspension, 2.5ml of Clarithromycin 250mg/5ml oral suspension must be supplied.
• SSP054 – for every 5ml of Clarithromycin 250mg/5ml oral suspension, one Clarithromycin 250mg tablet must be supplied.

Both SSPs are currently set to expire on 28 April 2023.

The SSPs may be amended or revoked at any time – we will update pharmacy owners on any changes.

SSP053 for Clarithromycin 125mg/5ml oral suspension

SSP054 for Clarithromycin 250mg/5ml oral suspension

Both SSPs, authorised by the Secretary of State, have been developed by clinicians and provides pharmacists with procedures to follow in providing either of these suitable alternative products to help reduce the number of patients having to return to their prescriber for a replacement prescription.

Key points relating to SSP053 and SSP054

• These protocols do not allow for the quantity supplied to be less than the number of days prescribed on original prescription.
• SSP053 does not allow the substitution of oral suspension for tablets
• Ensure that patients considered unsuitable for inclusion are promptly referred to their prescriber for further advice.
• The supervising pharmacist should ensure that the patient’s prescriber is notified when supplying a patient in accordance with these SSPs
• For endorsing requirements please refer to NHSBSA’s supporting guidance for SSP053 and SSP054 respectively.

Pharmacists must exercise their professional judgement to ensure the alternative products are suitable for the patient.

Pharmacy owners will receive an email to their shared NHSmail account informing them of these SSPs and pharmacy teams are advised to read the documentation for SSP053 and SSP054 in full and to implement the protocol with immediate effect. Pharmacists are required to read and comply with the requirements outlined within the individual SSP as published on the NHSBSA website for SSP053: Clarithromycin 125mg/5ml oral suspension and SSP054: Clarithromycin 250mg/5ml oral suspension.

Reimbursement

Reimbursement is for the medicine supplied in accordance with the SSP and not the originally prescribed medicine i.e. in this instance pharmacy owners will be reimbursed the reimbursement price for either Clarithromycin 250mg/5ml oral suspension or Clarithromycin 250mg tablet. The reimbursement price will account for VAT payment. Supply in accordance with the SSP will result in the following fees being paid to the pharmacy owner:

• One Single Activity fee (currently £1.27)
• One SSP fee (£5.35)

Support in implementing the SSPs

The following resources have been developed to support pharmacy teams in using these protocols.

Current versions of SSPs

Serious Shortage Protocols Operational Guidance

Serious Shortage Protocols Questions & Answers

Our Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) Endorsing Factsheet

Briefing 023/19: Serious Shortage Protocols – A guide for community pharmacy teams

Background information on SSPs

Further information on what SSPs are and when they may be used is available via the links below.

Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) on-demand webinar

Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) webpage