Expiry of fourteen SSPs

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has confirmed that sufficient stock of the following products are now available to meet normal demand:

• Sandrena^® 0.5mg gel sachets
• Sandrena^® 1mg gel sachets
• Lipitor^® 10mg chewable tablets
• 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
• Paracetamol 120mg suppositories
• Paracetamol 240mg suppositories

As a result the following  Serious Shortage Protocols, will expire at 23.59pm on Friday 12 May. After this date, any prescriptions for the above products must be dispensed in accordance with the prescription, and the SSPs 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.
• 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

PSNC’s SSP FAQ page

Live SSPs

NHSBSA SSP page