SSPs under the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 (HMRs) are an additional tool to manage and mitigate medicines shortages.
An SSP enables community pharmacists to supply a specified medicine in accordance with a protocol rather than a prescription, without needing to seek authorisation from the prescriber.
If the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) decide there is a serious shortage of a specific medicine or appliance, an SSP may be issued.
The contractor must use their professional skill and judgement to decide, alongside medical experts, whether it's reasonable and appropriate to substitute the patient's prescribed order for the active SSP.
The patient must also agree for supply of an alternative product or quantity in accordance with an SSP.
Endorsing
Endorsement requirements for products supplied in accordance with a SSP can be found in Clause 9E, Part II of the Drug Tariff.
Single dispensed product
Non-electronic prescription form
- endorse SSP and the three-digit reference number of the specific SSP
- endorse the SSP product dispensed, including strength, pharmaceutical form and quantity
Electronic prescription form
- select SSP on the Electronic Reimbursement Endorsement Message (EREM)
- enter the three-digit reference number of the specific SSP
- endorse the appropriate dispensed product and quantity
Multi dispensed product
Non-electronic prescription form
- endorse SSP and the three-digit reference number of the specific SSP
- endorse the SSP product dispensed including strength, pharmaceutical form and quantity
Electronic prescription form
- select SSP on the Electronic Reimbursement Endorsement Message (EREM)
- enter the three-digit reference number of the specific SSP
- endorse the appropriate dispensed products and quantities
Where the endorsement functionality does not allow for all replacement products to be endorsed, contractors should endorse SSP and the three-digit reference number of the specific SSP, in addition to any other information as required for only one product.
If the replacement item is a non-Part VIII product, this product must be the one endorsed.
The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) will reimburse pharmacy contractors for the remaining products in the SSP.
Contractor's must check the supporting guidance for the relevant SSP for endorsement requirements and the tables for each SSPs validity. The SSP validity can change.
Read more information about SSPs and view the SSP tables and endorsement guidance.