Medication Shortages

Specialist Pharmacy Service (SPS) medication supply tool

Please follow the SPS advice to manage medication shortages and discontinuations. They host the latest information on supply issues, actions to take, alternatives to use, and expected resolution dates. Content provided by DHSC and CMU. Healthcare professionals can register for a free account  www.sps.nhs.uk.

Patient Information Leaflet

Medicines optimisation have produced a leaflet to assist communication of the background to medication shortages with patients and healthcare professionals.

• Medication Shortages Information Leaflet

Shortages With Additional Local Advice

Pancreatic Enzyme Replacement Therapy (PERT)

• PERT advice for adult patients that DO NOT have Cystic Fibrosis

ADHD medication shortage advice

• Prescribing available medicines to treat ADHD - SPS - The first stop for professional medicines advice

GLP-1 RAs

There are very limited, intermittent supplies of most glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) licensed in the management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM).  Supply is not expected to return to normal until at least 2025.  Contact your medicines optimisation team for further advice if required.

• Shortage of GLP-1 receptor agonists (semaglutide, dulaglutide, liraglutide, exenatide)

Other shortages

• lidocaine 1% (or 2%) with adrenaline 1200 000
• Ipratropium nebules
• Insulin shortages - link to diabetes page