Serious Shortages Protocols (SSPs)

On Monday (1 July 2019) legislation came into force allowing the Department of Health and Social Care to issue Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs).

SSPs are a potential way to help pharmacies manage any serious shortages of medicines that may occur, without needing to refer patients back to prescribers.

If an SSP is issued, community pharmacy contractors must, under their Terms of Service, consider the SSP, so it is important that contractors are aware of the legislation and the new requirements.

To help you to do this, PSNC has issued a briefing and flowchart to explain the legislation and what pharmacies should do if an SSP is issued. Both documents are available here.