Medicine Supply Notification: Salbutamol 2.5mg/2.5ml and 5mg/2.5ml nebuliser liquid unit dose vials
Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has issued a medicine supply notification for Salbutamol 2.5mg/2.5ml and 5mg/2.5ml nebuliser liquid unit dose vials
MSN/2024/059
Tier 2 – medium impact
Date of issue: 23rd May 2024
- There will be intermittent supplies of salbutamol 2.5mg/2.5ml and 5mg/2.5ml nebules for the foreseeable future.
- Unlicensed supplies of salbutamol 2.5mg and 5mg nebules can be sourced (see Supporting information), lead times vary.
- Alternative beta2-agonists for nebulisation and intravenous administration remain available, however, they cannot support an increase in demand.
- Access to licensed salbutamol nebules will be actively monitored. Where possible, supplies will be prioritised for primary care and 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 salbutamol 2.5mg/2.5ml and 5mg/2.5ml nebules (please note there may be other companies that can also source supplies):
| Importer | Salbutamol | MHRA letter of no objection | Lead time (once letter of no objection received) | Pack size | Ordering instructions |
| Alium Medical | 2.5mg/2.5ml | Received | 1-2 weeks | 20 | All enquiries on pricing/account opening/orders should be sent to: enquiries@aliummedical.com |
| 5mg/2.5ml | End May | ||||
| Chemys Ltd | 2.5mg/2.5ml | Received | 5-7 days | 20 | Orders can be emailed to: sales@chemys.co.uk |
| 5mg/2.5ml | |||||
| Clinigen | 2.5mg/2.5ml | Applied for | End May | 20 | Tel: 01932 824100; Email: ukcustomerservices@clinigengroup.com or via EDI* |
| 5mg/2.5ml | Received | 1-2 days | |||
| Genetech Pharma | 2.5mg/2.5ml | Received | 1-2 days | 60 | Send a purchase order directly to our order processing department at: orders@genetechpharma.co.uk. For pricing and availability inquiries, hospitals or pharmacies are encouraged to contact: sales@genetechpharma.co.uk |
| 5mg/2.5ml | |||||
| Mawdsley’s | 2.5mg/2.5ml | Applied for | 3 weeks | 20 | Orders can be emailed to: unlicensed@mawdsleys.co.uk or via EDI* |
| 5mg/2.5ml | Received | 30 | |||
| QMED Pharma | 2.5mg/2.5ml | Received | 2-3 weeks | 60 | To order products, Trusts should send PDF purchase orders to: orders@qmedpharma.co.uk and unlicensed@qmedpharma.co.uk |
| 5mg/2.5ml | |||||
| Smartway Pharma | 2.5mg/2.5ml | Received | Next day delivery | 20 | Orders can be sent via email or GHX^ to our email address: ulm@smartwaypharma.co.uk |
| 5mg/2.5ml | |||||
| Target Healthcare | 2.5mg/2.5ml | Received | 1-2 days | 60 | Orders via email to Hospitals@targethealthcare.co.uk for Secondary Care and specials@target-healthcare.co.uk for Primary care |
| 5mg/2.5ml | 30/60 |
*Electronic Data Interchange ^GHX = Order management system
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 ‘ Salbutamol 2.5mg/2.5ml or 5mg/2.5ml nebules (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.
