Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has issued a medicine supply notification for Galantamine 8mg, 16mg and 24mg modified-release capsules.

MSN/2025/022

Tier 2 – medium impact

Date of issue: 11th April 2025

  • Galantamine 8mg modified release capsules are in limited supply until late July 2025.
  • Galantamine 16mg modified release capsules will be out of stock from mid-April until late May 2025.
  • Galantamine 24mg modified release capsules will be out of stock from late April until late July 2025.
  • Galantamine 8mg, 16mg and 24mg tablets were discontinued and are no longer available.
  • Galantamine 20mg/5ml oral solution sugar free remains available and can support full increased demand.
  • Alternative solid dosage forms of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors (donepezil tablets and rivastigmine capsules) remain available.
  • Unlicensed supplies of galantamine 8mg, 16mg and 24mg modified release capsules may be sourced, lead times vary.

Unlicensed products

The following specialist importers have confirmed they can source unlicensed galantamine 8mg, 16mg or 24mg modified release capsules (please note there may be other companies that can also source supplies):

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 ‘Galantamine XXmg modified release capsules (Special Order)’ and endorsed by the pharmacy as a non-Part VIII 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

Further guidance on how prescriptions for unlicensed specials should be written can be found here.

A copy of this medicine supply notification, including supporting information, has been sent to all pharmacy NHS email addresses.

DHSC and NHS England have 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.

The post Medicine Supply Notification: Galantamine 8mg, 16mg and 24mg modified-release capsules appeared first on Community Pharmacy England.