Medicine Supply Notification: Capsaicin 0.075% (Axsain®) and 0.025% (Zacin®) cream
Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has issued a medicine supply notification for Capsaicin 0.075% (Axsain®) and 0.025% (Zacin®) cream.
MSN/2023/028
Tier 2 – medium impact
Date of issue 16th March 2023
- Following intermittent supplies of capsaicin 0.075% (Axsain®) and 0.025% (Zacin®) cream, these are now out of stock until end of June 2023.
- Unlicensed supplies may be sourced, lead times vary.
The following specialist importers have confirmed they can source unlicensed capsaicin 0.025% and 0.075% cream (please note there may be other companies that can also source supplies):
If there is currently no listing on dm+d for the imported product for prescribers to select using their prescribing systems an EPS prescription for capsaicin 0.075% cream or unlicensed capsaicin 0.025% cream cannot be issued. Where a prescriber wishes to prescribe a specially manufactured product, an FP10 paper prescription should be issued as ‘capsaicin 0.075% cream or capsaicin 0.025% cream (Special Order)‘ and endorsed by the pharmacy as a non-Part VIIIB special with the following information:
- Amount dispensed over pack size used;
- Invoice price per pack size from which the order was supplied less any discount or rebate;
- Manufacturers’/importers’ MHRA licence number;
- Batch number of the product supplied;
- SP
A copy of this medicine supply notification, including further information, has been sent to all pharmacy NHS email addresses.
DHSC and NHSE/I have now launched an online Medicines Supply Tool, which provides up to date information about medicine supply issues. The contents of these MSNs can now be viewed on the Tool.
The Tool also details any changes to resupply dates and updates to the entries.
To access the Tool you will need an NHS email address. Once set up and logged in, you will be able to access it online.
New shortages not listed on the SPS website, can be reported using our shortage reporting tool.
