New SSP issued for Cefalexin 500mg tablets (SSP072)
In response to a significant ongoing disruption to the supply of Cefalexin 500mg tablets, a Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) has been issued by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).
Effective today 6 August 2024, SSP072 provides that for every Cefalexin 500mg tablet originally prescribed one Cefalexin 500mg capsule must be supplied. SSP072, authorised by the Secretary of State, has been developed by clinicians and provides pharmacists with procedures to follow in providing a suitable alternative product to help reduce the number of patients having to return to their prescriber for a replacement prescription.
| For prescriptions (NHS or private) requesting: | Supply permitted under SSP072: |
| Cefalexin 500mg tablets | Cefalexin 500mg capsules |
The SSP may be amended or revoked at any time but currently expires on Friday 27 September 2024 – we will update pharmacy owners on any changes.
Community Pharmacy England previously reported that the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) received a number of EPS SSP claims which did not meet the requirements for a valid SSP claim. A large number SSP claims continue to be deemed invalid by the NHSBSA due to incorrect endorsements applied by PMR systems and/or pharmacy staff. We recommend pharmacy owners to regularly reconcile the value of SSP fees on their payment schedules against the number of SSPs declared on the FP34C submission form. Please refer to our new guidance on reconciliation of SSP claims.
If there is a payment discrepancy and it is believed that the correct SSP endorsing guidance was followed, pharmacy owners may consider requesting a re-check of relevant prescriptions and the NHSBSA will be able to explain why the claim was unpaid or rectify the payments.
Pharmacy teams are reminded to follow the SSP-specific guidance to ensure endorsements are applied correctly, and we also have guidance supporting teams raising PMR-specific claiming issues with their suppliers. Click here for more Top Tips on claiming for SSPs.
Key points relating to SSP072
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- This protocol does not allow for the quantity supplied to be less than the number of days prescribed on original prescription.
- There are no SSPs in place for other strengths of Cefalexin tablets – these strengths are not affected by supply disruptions and should continue to be dispensed in accordance with the prescriptions
- SSP072 only allows the substitution of Cefalexin 500mg tablets.
- Ensure that patients considered unsuitable for inclusion are promptly referred to their prescriber for further advice.
- The supervising pharmacist should ensure that the patient’s prescriber is notified when supplying a patient in accordance with this SSP
- The supervising pharmacist, using their professional judgement determines that swapping the patient to a different brand of a patch would not be suitable for the patient
- For endorsing requirements please refer to NHSBSA’s supporting guidance for SSP072.
Pharmacists must exercise their professional judgement to ensure the alternative product is suitable for the patient.
Pharmacy owners will receive an email to their shared NHSmail account informing them of this SSP and pharmacy teams are advised to read the documentation for SSP072 in full and to implement the protocol with immediate effect. Pharmacists are required to read and comply with the requirements outlined within the individual SSP as published on the NHSBSA website for SSP072: Cefalexin 500mg tablets.
Reimbursement
Reimbursement is for the medicine supplied in accordance with the SSP and not the originally prescribed medicine i.e. in this instance pharmacy owners will be reimbursed the reimbursement price for Cefalexin 500mg capsules. The reimbursement price will account for VAT payment. Supply in accordance with the SSP will result in the following fees being paid to the pharmacy owner and products supplied in accordance with an SSP is to be considered VAT zero-rated:
- One Single Activity fee (currently £1.27)
- One SSP fee (£5.35)
Support in implementing the SSP
The following resources have been developed to support pharmacy teams in using these protocols.
Serious Shortage Protocols Operational Guidance
Serious Shortage Protocols Questions & Answers
Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) Endorsing Factsheet
Briefing 023/19: Serious Shortage Protocols – A guide for community pharmacy teams
Background information on SSPs
Further information on what SSPs are and when they may be used is available via the links below.
