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To curb the supply issue of HRT medicine, the government has taken a further action by issuing SSPs for Oestrogel, Ovestin cream, Lenzetto transdermal spray and Sandrena gel sachets - with appropriate alternatives. The move aims to allow community pharmacists to supply specified alternatives to the prescribed HRT products without needing to seek authorisation from the clinician who has prescribed the medicine. The regulator said that the availability of Premique Low Dose has impoved 'thanks to SSPs issued on 29 April to restrict dispensing for Oestrogel, Ovestin and Premique Low Dose to three months' supply'. "Since these measures were implemented, further deliveries of all three products have been made, with Premique Low Dose returning to good availability this week. The manufacturers of Oestrogel and Ovestin, as well as suppliers of alternative HRT products, are taking action to increase UK supply." It added, "SSPs restricting prescriptions to a maximum of three months' supply will also be issued for substitute products, as a precautionary measure to ensure the supply of those substitutes is maintained."

A total of 14 Serious Shortage Protocols (SSP) will expire today (12 May) as the Department of Health and Social Care has confirmed availability of the products to meet normal demand. The products include Sandrena 0.5mg and 1mg gel sachets, Lipitor 10mg chewable tablets, Phenoxymethylpenicillin 125mg/5ml and 250mg/5ml oral solution, sugar free variant of both doses and 250mg tablets, and Paracetamol 120mg and 240mg suppositories. The expiring SSPs include three related to Sandrena gel sachets, one for Lipitor, eight concerning Phenoxymethylpenicillin and two for Paracetamol. These will expire at 23.59pm on Friday 12 May and any prescriptions for these products must be dispensed in accordance with the prescription after that.