The Government has changed the rules on antibiotics amid a shortage and a national surge in illness. On Thursday the Government issued a Serious Shortage Protocols allowing pharmacists to hand out different types of antibiotics.
On Saturday, five new SSPs have been issued.
This has extended the alternative antibiotics or formulation pharmacists can supply if they don’t have the medicine on the prescription in stock.
GPs will continue to prescribe penicillin for those patients who need this course of treatment.
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.
These SSPs 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 SSPs apply to the following medicines:
- Phenoxymethylpenicillin 125mg/5ml oral solution
- Phenoxymethylpenicillin 125mg/5ml oral solution sugar free
- Phenoxymethylpenicillin 250mg/5ml oral solution
- Phenoxymethylpenicillin 250mg/5ml oral solution sugar free
- Phenoxymethylpenicillin 250mg tablets
SSPs are a standard procedure, used frequently to manage temporary and potential medicine supply issues.
The rate of scarlet fever in the Uk is three time higher than normal, according to the UK Health Security Agenycm with 7,500 cases reported. At least 19 children have died of Strep A, which can be treated with antibiotics.
