Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has issued a medicine supply notification for three tablets- Meptazinol (Meptid) 200mg film-coated tablets,
Medroxyprogesterone (Provera) 2.5mg tablets and Lamotrigine 5mg dispersible tablets on Wednesday (15 February).
Meptid tablets will remain out of stock until late June 2023. DHSC suggested that an alternative analgesic products including non-opioids remain available.
Provera 2.5mg tablets are out of stock until mid-March 2023. "Medroxyprogesterone (Provera) 5mg and 10mg tablets remain available but cannot support an uplift in
demand," said DHSC.
"Norethisterone 5mg tablets remain available and will be able to support an increase in demand."
Branded lamotrigine (Lamictal) 2mg and 5mg dispersible remain available but are unable to support the increase in demand as Lamotrigine 5mg dispersible tablets
are out of stock until late March 2023.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued a class 3 medicines recall for Sildenafil 100mg Film-coated Tablets
(Strandhaven Limited T/A Somex Pharma).
Manufacturer of drug, Strandhaven Limited T/A Somex Pharma has informed the MHRA that the pack size on some cartons of the batch state 8 Tablets instead
of 4 Tablets. This is an error due to cartons being mixed at the printers. All cartons with batch number ET22028 contain one blister strip of 4 Tablets
regardless of whether it states 8 Tablets or 4 Tablets on the pack.
Only the batch number ET22028 is affected. Due to the low number of complaints received, only the packs labelled as containing 8 Tablets are being recalled
at this time. The batch is comprised of 60340 packs, to date 195 packs have been found to be mislabelled.
Dr Michael Gamlen, the inventor of Gamlen instruments presents a tablet press machine to the students at the School of Pharmacy on 16 October.
The equipment not only solves the challenge of producing lab-scale tablets under precise conditions but also offers valuable insights into material
compaction properties.
It is also known as a powder compaction analyser which has been given on loan to the University of Sunderland for five years.
Dr Gamlen talks about the machine and how pharmacy students will benefit, saying: "It allows you to make tablets under tightly controlled conditions and enables
you to make accurate comparisons between different materials and processes.
"The students will be able to easily see the impact of the tablet compaction conditions on tablet properties. This is very important to understand when developing
new tablet formulations and manufacturing products."
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has revised concession prices for four products and confirmed three further price concessions for May 2024.
This announcement comes in response to representations made by Community Pharmacy England (CPE) on behalf of community pharmacy owners
Concession prices have been redetermined for Ezetimibe 10mg tablets, Quetiapine 100mg tablets, Quetiapine 150mg tablets and Quetiapine 200mg tablets.
Here are the newly granted concessions:
Nicorandil 10mg tablets (60 tablets): £5.05
Nicorandil 20mg tablets (60 tablets): £9.30
Pregabalin 75mg capsules (56 capsules): £1.54
The revised prices will be applicable to prescriptions submitted for payment during the dispensing month of May 2024, and do not apply to June 2024 prescriptions,
the CPE noted.
In response to significant ongoing disruptions in the supply of certain Quetiapine tablet strengths, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) on Tuesday
issued nine new Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs), with immediate effect.
These measures aim to ensure the continued availability of quetiapine, an essential medication for managing schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Under the new SSPs, community pharmacists are allowed to consider different options to manage the shortage of the three strengths of quetiapine tablets affected
by ongoing supply disruptions: quetiapine 300mg tablets, quetiapine 200mg tablets, and quetiapine 150mg tablets.
Depending on the prescribed quantity of the affected quetiapine tablet, pharmacists can either supply a reduced quantity of the same quetiapine tablet or
substitute with an alternative strength or provide a reduced quantity of a specific alternative product.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has recalled Labetalol 200mg tablets (Tillomed Laboratories Ltd) directed to pharmacies
and wholesalers.
Manufacturer, Tillomed Laboratories is recalling one batch of Labetalol 200mg tablets due to an error on the foil blister packaging.
The incorrect aluminium foil blister packaging states Labetalol 100mg tablets, however it should be labelled as Labetalol 200mg tablets. This error has occurred
at the primary packing operation.
Tillomed Laboratories Limited has confirmed the actual tablet contained in the blister is Labetalol 200mg tablets, which is the strength stated on the outer carton.
This error is limited to the packaging of the batch with 100mg aluminium foil blister and does not impact the lot (batch) number or expiry as printed on the outer
carton and aluminium foil blister.
Healthcare professionals has been advised to stop supplying the batches immediately. Quarantine all remaining stock and return it to supplier using supplier's
approved process.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has extended the Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) for Fluoxetine 10mg tablets (SSP005) and Lipitor 10mg
chewable tablets (SSP032) to Wednesday, 7 December 2022.
SSP005 for Fluoxetine 10mg tablets was due to expire on 12 August 2022.
DHSC has also updated that SSP032 for Lipitor 10mg chewable tablets was due to expire on 12 August 2022 but the end date has been further extended to Friday 26
August 2022.
SSP005 provides that for every Fluoxetine 10mg tablet originally prescribed, one Fluoxetine 10mg capsule must be supplied:
"Expiry dates of an SSP may be brought forward or extended, and the content may be amended at any time during the life of an SSP. Pharmacists should ensure they
are using the latest version of an SSP before considering the supply of an alternative product," said DHSC.
Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has issued a medicine supply notification for Clomifene (Clomid) 50mg tablets on Monday (5 June).
It said: "Sanofi will be out of stock of clomifene (Clomid) 50mg tablets from w/c 12 June 2023 until w/c 18 September 2023."
"Generic clomifene 50mg tablets remain available from Wockhardt who are able to partially uplift supplies until the end of July 2023. Unlicensed supplies of
clomifene 50mg tablets may be sourced, lead times vary. Alternative medicines for use in infertility remain available," it added.
The specialist importers- Orifam and Target Healthcare have confirmed to DHSC they can source unlicensed clomifene 50mg tablets.
"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 unlicensed
clomifene 50mg tablets cannot be issued," said Community Pharmacy England.
Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has issued a medicine supply notification for Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal) 300mg and 600mg tablets on
Wednesday (14 June).
It has notified that the Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal) 300mg tablets will be out of stock from late June 2023 until mid-July 2023 and Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal) 600mg
tablets are out of stock until mid-July 2023.
However, generic oxcarbazepine 300mg and 600mg tablets remain available and will be able to support increased demand.
"Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal) 150mg tablets and generic oxcarbazepine 150mg tablets remain available but cannot support the increase in demand," said DHSC.
"Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal) 60mg/ml oral suspension remains available but cannot meet an increase in demand."
Community Pharmacy England (CPE) has notified pharmacy teams that starting 1 August 2024, three Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) medicines will be
discontinued and will no longer be covered under the NHS HRT Prescription Prepayment Certificate (HRT PPC) scheme.
These are Bedol® 2mg tablets, Climanor® 5mg tablets and Clinorette® tablets.
Since Climanor® 5mg tablets have been discontinued, Medroxyprogesterone 5mg tablets will also be removed from the HRT PPC list, as this generic product is no
longer available as a licensed HRT medicine.
The CPE also noted that Provera® 5mg tablets, being an unlicensed HRT medicine, are not covered by the HRT PPC.
Pharmacy staff are advised to check the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) website for the most current list of HRT medicines covered by the HRT PPC.
The CPE has updated its HRT PPC medicines list to reflect these changes, which will also be updated in Part XVI of the August 2024 Drug Tariff.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has asked the pharmacies and wholesalers to stop supplying and quarantine all remaining stock
of Dr Reddy's Laboratories (UK)'s Lacidipine 4 mg Film-Coated tablets.
The company has recalled two batches of Lacidipine 4 mg Film-Coated tablets as a precautionary measure due to the presence of an unknown solvent-like odour.
MHRA said: "The tablets are normally odourless. However, in the affected batches, a solvent-like odour is present when the individual blisters are opened.
Additionally, some patient complaints have noted that the tablets have an unusual taste. The investigation to determine the root cause and to identify and quantify
the odour is ongoing.
"The issue is confined to batches B2202043 and B2202044 only. Other batches of Lacidipine 4 mg Film-Coated tablets marketed by Dr Reddy's Laboratories (UK) are not
affected."
Dr. Reddy's Teraleve® 4mg and 8mg Fesoterodine Fumarate Prolonged-Release tablets have been available in the UK since their launch on 1st June 2022.
Therapeutic indications:
Indicated in adults for treatment of the symptoms (increased urinary frequency and/or urgency and/or urgency incontinence) that may occur with overactive bladder
syndrome.
Presentation:
4mg tablets are light blue, oval, biconvex, film-coated, and engraved on one side with the number '4'.
8mg tablets are light blue, oval, biconvex, film-coated, and engraved on one side with the number '8'.
tablets are packaged in aluminium-aluminium blisters in a carton with a PIL.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has maintained the prescription-only status of Aquiette 2.5mg Tablets for symptoms of
overactive bladder, following a public consultation and the review of a reclassification application from the manufacturer Maxwellia Ltd.
Aquiette, which contains the active ingredient oxybutynin, is used for the treatment of long-term symptoms of overactive bladder (OAB) in women aged between 18
and 65, such as the urgent need to urinate and frequent urination without pain.
The regulator decided against the reclassification of Aquiette 2.5mg Tablets from a prescription-only medicine (POM) to a pharmacy (P) medicine, concluding that
a medical prescription continues to be required to ensure the safe use of Aquiette.
Since an OAB diagnosis requires medical supervision to ensure that the correct treatment is received, and other health conditions are not overlooked or left untreated,
the MHRA said the decision would ensure that the medication is used safely and appropriately under medical supervision.
"After taking on board the views of the many patients and healthcare professionals who responded, we have decided to refuse the reclassification of Aquiette 2.5mg
Tablets for women with symptoms of overactive bladder (OAB)," Dr Laura Squire, MHRA chief healthcare quality and access officer, said.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has advised healthcare professionals to ensure appropriate patient counselling takes place and
patients are aware of the missing information on the patient information leaflet (PIL) of Decongestant Tablets and Decongestant with Pain Relief Tablets.
The advise came after Boots has identified an error with the printed PIL provided with batches of the Tablets.
Check the website for more information.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has issued a medicine supply notification for Temazepam 10mg and 20mg tablets.
"Temazepam 10mg and 20mg tablets are in limited supply until w/c 5th December 2022. Alternative benzodiazepines and non-benzodiazepine hypnotics remain available
and will be able to support increased demand," said DHSC.
Temazepam 10mg/5ml oral solution remains available but cannot support an uplift in demand. DHSC suggested: "Where the above options are not suitable, unlicensed
supplies of temazepam 10mg tablets may be sourced, lead times vary."
The department confirmed that Target Healthcare, a specialist importers, have confirmed they can source unlicensed Temazepam 10mg tablets.
"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 unlicensed
Temazepam 10mg tablets cannot be issued."
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has announced that sufficient stock of Lipitor 10mg chewable tablets is now available to meet normal demand.
Therefore, the Serious Shortage Protocol, SSP032 Lipitor 10mg chewable tablets expired at 23.59pm on Friday (9 September).
"After this date, any prescriptions for Lipitor 10mg chewable tablets must be dispensed in accordance with the prescription, and the SSP032 will no longer be valid for use," said DHSC.
Authorities in Northern Ireland have seized more than 242,000 unlicensed prescription tablets purchased online and destined for addresses throughout NI.
The medicines seized include Diazepam, used for anti-anxiety treatment, Pregabalin, used for epilepsy and anxiety, steroids and Zopiclone.
Other prescription medicines recovered included Tamoxifen, often used in the treatment of breast cancer and Salbutamol inhalers, frequently used in the treatment
of asthma.
"Co-operation between law enforcement agencies and government departments has led to the seizure of over 242,000 illegal and unlicensed tablets purchased online
and destined for addresses throughout Northern Ireland," justice minister Naomi Long was reported as saying.
The minister, together with health minister Robin Swann and assistant chief constable Mark McEwan PSNI were highlighting Northern Ireland's input to the global,
Interpol co-ordinated Operation Pangea XV, which saw multiple packages of tablets intercepted and seized, with a street value of almost £250,000.
She praised the concerted efforts made by PSNI, Border Force and officials from the Department of Health Medicines Regulatory Group during a specific week of action
in June.
Supply of all Champix products, used for smoking cessation, will remain out of stock until further notice from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory
Agency (MHRA).
The announcement follows a medicine recall order initiated by the MHRA for "all strengths of Champix® tablets" on October 14, 2021 at pharmacy and wholesaler level.
Pfizer, the sole supplier of Champix tablets, stopped the distribution of 0.5mg and 1mg tablets in early June 2021.
The company is currently unable to confirm when supplies will resume amid global regulatory investigations relating to the presence of nitrosamine impurities above
the Pfizer's acceptable level of daily intake in several lots.
Hypovase (prazosin) 500 microgram tablets, manufactured by drug major Pfizer, will remain out of stock until mid-January 2022 due to a manufacturing issue.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and NHS England and Improvement (NHSE&I) have issued a supply disruption alert for the medicine that is used to treat heart-related troubles.
Pfizer, the sole supplier of prazosin 500mg tablets in the UK, is out of stock from late November 2021, and had discontinued the Hypovase® (prazosin) 1mg tablets in May 2021.
Advice for healthcare professionals
In the given situation, prescribers need to review all affected patients to discuss management plans.
Meanwhile, alternative medicine alpha blockers remain available to support an uplift in demand.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued a class 2 medicines recall for Sabril 500 mg film-coated tablets & Sabril 500 mg
granules for oral solution.
Sanofi UK has recalled the batches of Sabril tablets and Sabril granules as a precautionary measure due to the detection of traces of tiapride in the batches of the
source material of the manufacturer for vigabatrin.
Sabril (vigabatrin) is indicated for adjunctive treatment of focal seizures with or without secondary generalisation not satisfactorily controlled with other
antiepileptics (under expert supervision) and monotherapy in the treatment of infantile spasms (West's syndrome).
All patients are advised not to discontinue Sabril tablets or Sabril granules without consulting with their prescriber. The risks of suddenly stopping medication
for seizures/epilepsy is higher than the potential risk presented by the presence of tiapride.
Sanofi UK have confirmed to DHSC that no other batches are impacted, and other stock remains available.