The Department of Health and Social Care has extended the serious shortage protocol for Salazopyrin EN-Tabs 500mg until March 8.

The previous SSP for the product ran until January 22 and the PSNC reminded pharmacists to ensure they use “the latest version of an SSP before considering the supply of an alternative product.”

Other active SSPs include Fluoxetine 10mg tablets (March 31), Fluoxetine 30mg capsules (March 12), Fluoxetine 40mg capsules (March 31) and Levothyroxine 12.5mcg tablets (March 5).

The PSNC said reimbursement is for medicines “supplied in accordance with the SSP and not the originally prescribed medicine".