Contractor Notice: Expiry of SSP017 for Lipitor® 20mg chewable tablets
Tuesday 5th April 2022
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has confirmed that sufficient stock of Lipitor® 20mg chewable tablets is now available to meet normal demand. As a result the Serious Shortage Protocol, SSP017 for Lipitor® 20mg chewable tablets expires at 23.59pm on Wednesday 5 April 2022. After this date, any prescriptions for Lipitor® 20mg chewable tablets must be dispensed in accordance with the prescription, and the SSP017 will no longer be valid for use.
Top tips for SSP claims
- Where available, use the claim amend facility on the PMR system to rectify any incorrect EPS claims already submitted this month.
- Any paper prescriptions with SSP claims need to be placed in the red separator provided by the NHSBSA.
- For any supplies made in accordance with SSPs, check that the correct number of patient charges are collected and declared on the end of month FP34C submission document.
- Although an SSP cannot be used outside its period of validity, claims can be submitted up to three calendar months after expiry or withdrawal of the SSP. For example, for the Lipitor® 20mg chewable tablets, which expired on 5 April, the NHSBSA would continue to look for the “SSP” endorsement on prescriptions for Lipitor® 20mg chewable tablets that are submitted with the April batch (submitted by 5 May), May batch (submitted by 5 June) and June batch (submitted by 5 July).
- NHSBSA advise that contractors must follow the specific endorsement guidance issued with each SSP and endorsements should be clear and unambiguous – NHSBSA processing staff must be able to determine what has been supplied.
- Pharmacy contractors should keep a record of all SSP claims submitted each month to reconcile against their monthly Schedule of Payments or Prescription Item (Px) reports.
- View our SSP submission guidance to ensure your SSP claims are appropriately submitted to NHSBSA for reimbursement.
Additional information
PSNC Briefing 011/21: Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) updated endorsing guidance
NHSBSA’s supporting endorsement guidance for SSP017: Lipitor® 20mg chewable tablets
Tuesday 5th April 2022
