Medicine Supply Notification: Erythromycin 250mg gastro-resistant tablets
Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has issued a medicine supply notification for Erythromycin 250mg gastro-resistant tablets
MSN/2024/071
Tier 2 – medium impact
Date of issue: 12th June 2024
- Erythromycin 250mg tablets are currently out of stock until w/c 24th of June 2024.
- Erythromycin 500mg tablets remain available but are unable to support an increase in demand.
- Erythromycin oral suspensions remain available but are unable to support an increase in demand.
- Azithromycin 500mg tablets remain available and will be able to support increased demand.
- Clarithromycin 250mg and 500mg tablets remain available and will be able to support increased demand.
- The actions on the previously issued MSN/2024/060 for clarithromycin 125mg/5ml and 250mg/5ml oral suspension do not impact the actions specified here.
Unlicensed products
The following specialist importers have confirmed they can source unlicensed erythromycin 250mg gastro-resistant tablets (please note there may be other companies that can also source 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 the unlicensed product cannot be issued. Where a prescriber wishes to prescribe a specially manufactured or imported product, an FP10 paper prescription should be issued as ‘ Erythromycin 250mg gastro-resistant tablets (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.
