The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has issued a medicine supply notification for the following products:

  • Rivastigmine 4.6mg/24hours transdermal patches
  • Rivastigmine 9.5mg/24hours transdermal patches

MSN/2025/062

Tier 3 – high impact

Date of issue: 03/12/2025

Summary

  • Rivastigmine 4.6mg/24hours and 9.5mg/24hours transdermal patches are in limited supply until w/c 15 December 2025.
  • Rivastigmine 13.3mg/24hours transdermal patches remain available but cannot support an uplift in demand.
  • Rivastigmine (Zeyzelf) twice weekly 4.6 mg/24hours transdermal patch is out of stock until w/c 15/12/25.
  • Rivastigmine (Zeyzelf) twice weekly 9.5 mg/24hours transdermal patch remains available but cannot support uplift in demand.
  • Alternative formulations of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors remain available, except for galantamine modified release capsules, which are in limited supply.
  • Unlicensed supplies of rivastigmine 4.6mg/24hours and 9.5mg/24hours transdermal patches may be sourced, lead times vary.
  • Note: Care is needed if switching between daily and twice weekly rivastigmine patches to avoid risk of dosing error.

Unlicensed products

The following specialist importers have confirmed they can source unlicensed rivastigmine 4.6mg/24hours and 9.5mg/24hours transdermal patches (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 ‘Rivastigmine XXmg/24hours transdermal patches (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 actions required and supporting information, has been sent to all pharmacy NHS email addresses.

DHSC and NHSE/I have now 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.

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