Medicine Supply Notification: Fluticasone 400microgram/unit dose nasal drops

Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has issued a medicine supply notification for Fluticasone 400microgram/unit dose nasal drops.

MSN/2023/108

Tier 2 – medium impact

Date of issue 28th November 2023

  • Flixonase Nasal Drops are being discontinued, with stock exhausted by the end of December 2023
  • Generic fluticasone 400microgram/unit dose nasal drops (Aspire Pharma) are in limited supply until early February 2024.
  • Alternative steroid nasal drops and sprays remain available and can support increased demand
  • Unlicensed supplies of fluticasone 400microgram nasal drops may be sourced, lead times vary.

Unlicensed products

The following specialist importers have confirmed they can source unlicensed fluticasone propionate 400microgram nasal drops (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 ‘Fluticasone propionate 400microgram nasal drops. (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.

Learn more about how the plan is being developed, discover opportunities to have your say, and hear how Community Pharmacy England is responding on behalf of the sector.

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