Medicine Supply Notification: Ipratropium bromide 250micrograms/1ml and 500micrograms/2ml nebuliser liquid unit dose vials
Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has issued a medicine supply notification for Ipratropium bromide 250micrograms/1ml and 500micrograms/2ml nebuliser liquid unit dose vials.
MSN/2024/076
Tier 2 – medium impact
Date of issue: 15th July 2024
- Ipratropium bromide 250micrograms/1ml and 500micrograms/2ml nebuliser solution is in limited supply until late March 2025.
- Ipratropium bromide 20microgram/dose inhalers remain available and can support an increase in demand.
- Salbutamol 2.5mg/2.5ml / ipratropium bromide 500micrograms/2.5ml nebuliser solution remains available, however, cannot support an increase in demand.
- Unlicensed supplies of ipratropium bromide 250micrograms/1ml and 500micrograms/2ml nebuliser solution have been sourced, lead times vary
- Access to licensed ipratropium nebules will be actively monitored. Where possible, supplies will be prioritised for ambulance services who are less able to use unlicensed supplies.
Unlicensed products
The following specialist importer(s) have confirmed they can source unlicensed supplies of ipratropium 250micrograms/1ml and 500micrograms/2ml nebuliser solution (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 ‘Ipratropium bromide 250micrograms/1ml and 500micrograms/2ml nebuliser liquid unit dose vials (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.
