A further 10 Serious Shortage Protocols have been issued for five HRT medicines currently affected by supply disruptions.

These add to the three SSPs issued in late April, bringing the total number of HRT SSPs to 13.

The SSPs, which also apply to dispensing practices, have been summarised as follows:

• Premique Low Dose 0.3mg/1.5mg modified-release tablet – one SSP for quantity restriction only
• Ovestin 1mg cream – three SSPs for quantity restriction, substitution, or substitution and quantity restriction
• Oestrogel Pump-Pack 0.06% gel – three SSPs for quantity restriction, substitution, or substitution and quantity restriction
• Lenzetto 1.53mg/dose transdermal spray – three SSPs for quantity restriction, substitution, or substitution and quantity restriction
• Sandrena 0.5mg and 1mg gel sachets – three SSPs for quantity restriction, substitution, or substitution and quantity restriction

Dispensing practices are required to follow the quantity restriction provisions, which state that where a prescription has a duration of more than three months and supplies are available, an equivalent of three months’ supply will be permitted in accordance with the SSP for the prescribed medicine.

Alternatively, the GP can be asked to rewrite the prescription for a substitute product not affected by quantity restrictions.

Supporting guidance is available from NHSBSA.