Two Clarithromycin SSPs reactivated

In response to a significant ongoing disruption to the supply of Clarithromycin 125mg/5ml and 250mg/5ml oral suspension, Ministers have authorised the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to reactivate two Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs).

Effective 22 May 2024, SSP053 and SSP054 provides for the following:

SSP053 – for every 5ml of Clarithromycin 125mg/5ml oral suspension, 2.5ml of Clarithromycin 250mg/5ml oral suspension must be supplied.
SSP054 – for every 5ml of Clarithromycin 250mg/5ml oral suspension, one Clarithromycin 250mg tablet must be supplied.

Both SSPs are currently set to expire on 21 June 2024.

The SSPs may be amended or revoked at any time – we will update pharmacy owners on any changes.

SSP053 for Clarithromycin 125mg/5ml oral suspension

For prescriptions (NHS or private) requesting:
Supply permitted under SSP053:

Clarithromycin 125mg/5ml oral suspension
Clarithromycin 250mg/5ml oral suspension

SSP054 for Clarithromycin 250mg/5ml oral suspension

For prescriptions (NHS or private) requesting:
Supply permitted under SSP054:

Clarithromycin 250mg/5ml oral suspension
Clarithromycin 250mg tablet

Both SSPs, authorised by the Secretary of State, have been developed by clinicians and provides pharmacists with procedures to follow in providing either of these suitable alternative products to help reduce the number of patients having to return to their prescriber for a replacement prescription.

Key points relating to SSP053 and SSP054

These protocols do not allow for the quantity supplied to be less than the number of days prescribed on original prescription.
SSP053 does not allow the substitution of oral suspension for tablets
Ensure that patients considered unsuitable for inclusion are promptly referred to their prescriber for further advice.
The supervising pharmacist should ensure that the patient’s prescriber is notified when supplying a patient in accordance with these SSPs
For endorsing requirements please refer to NHSBSA’s supporting guidance for SSP053 and SSP054 respectively.

Pharmacists must exercise their professional judgement to ensure the alternative products are suitable for the patient.

Pharmacy owners will receive an email to their shared NHSmail account informing them of these SSPs and pharmacy teams are advised to read the documentation for SSP053 and SSP054 in full and to implement the protocol with immediate effect. Pharmacists are required to read and comply with the requirements outlined within the individual SSP as published on the NHSBSA website for SSP053: Clarithromycin 125mg/5ml oral suspension and SSP054: Clarithromycin 250mg/5ml oral suspension.

Reimbursement

Reimbursement is for the medicine supplied in accordance with the SSP and not the originally prescribed medicine i.e. in this instance pharmacy owners will be reimbursed the reimbursement price for either Clarithromycin 250mg/5ml oral suspension or Clarithromycin 250mg tablet. The reimbursement price will account for VAT payment. Supply in accordance with the SSP will result in the following fees being paid to the pharmacy owner:

One Single Activity fee (currently £1.27)
One SSP fee (£5.35)