Medicine Supply Notification: Acetazolamide (Diamox® SR) 250mg modified-release capsules
Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has issued a medicine supply notification for Acetazolamide (Diamox® SR) 250mg modified-release capsules.
MSN/2023/033
Tier 2 – medium impact
Date of issue 27th March 2023
- Acetazolamide (Diamox® SR) 250mg modified-release capsules are out of stock until end of July 2023.
- Acetazolamide immediate release 250mg tablets remain available and can support an uplift in demand.
- Limited supplies of unlicensed imports of acetazolamide SR 250mg capsules have been sourced, lead times vary.
- A number of Special manufacturers are able to produce acetazolamide oral suspension in various strengths (including sugar-free formulations).
Unlicensed imports
The following specialist importer(s) have currently confirmed availability of unlicensed acetazolamide SR 250mg capsules (please note, there may be other companies that can also source supplies):
Specials
The following companies have indicated they can supply specials of acetazolamide oral suspension in various strengths (please note, there may be other companies that can manufacture supplies):
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 Acetazolamide capsules or suspension cannot be issued. Where a prescriber wishes to prescribe a specially manufactured or imported product, an FP10 paper prescription should be issued as ‘ Acetazolamide SR 250mg capsules (Special Order) or Acetazolamide oral suspension (Special Order)‘ and endorsed by the pharmacy as a non-Part VIIIB special with the following information:
- Amount dispensed over pack size used;
- Invoice price per pack size from which the order was supplied less any discount or rebate;
- Manufacturers’/importers’ MHRA licence number;
- Batch number of the product supplied;
- SP
A copy of this medicine supply notification, including further information, has been sent to all pharmacy NHS email addresses.
DHSC and NHSE/I have now launched an online Medicines Supply Tool, which provides up to date information about medicine supply issues. The contents of these MSNs can now be viewed on the Tool.
The Tool also details any changes to resupply dates and updates to the entries.
To access the Tool you will need an NHS email address. Once set up and logged in, you will be able to access it online.
New shortages not listed on the SPS website, can be reported using our shortage reporting tool.
