Further extension to SSP005 for Fluoxetine 10mg tablets

May 13, 2022

Update 13/05/2022 – The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has provided an update on the Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) for Fluoxetine 10mg tablets (SSP005). SSP005 for Fluoxetine 10mg tablets was previously expected to expire on 13 May 2022 but the end date has been further extended to Friday 12 August 2022.

Update 10/02/2022 – The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has provided an update on the Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) for Fluoxetine 10mg tablets (SSP005). SSP005 for Fluoxetine 10mg tablets was previously expected to expire on 11 February 2022 but the end date has been further extended to Friday 13 May 2022.

Update 12/11/2021 – The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has provided an update on the Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) for Fluoxetine 10mg tablets (SSP005). SSP005 for Fluoxetine 10mg tablets was previously expected to expire on 12 November 2021 but the end date has been further extended to Friday 11 February 2022.

Extension to transition period enabling use of NCSO endorsement and use of EPS tokens to claim for supplies made in accordance with SSPs

To allow for implementation of the new SSP endorsement functionality, a transition period (1 June – 5 October) was initially agreed to enable use of the existing ‘NCSO’ endorsement until the beginning of October 2021 (to include September SSP claims, submitted by the 5 October). During the transition period, the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) accepted either the new ‘SSP’ or existing ‘NCSO’ endorsement for any SSP claims submitted using electronic prescriptions, EPS tokens of FP10 paper prescriptions.

PSNC requested and secured an extension to the transition period by three months for the NHSBSA to continue to accept the ‘NCSO’ endorsement and allow SSP claims on tokens until February 2022 (i.e. for January’s prescriptions claimed by 5 February). From February 2022, all contractors must use the ‘SSP’ endorsement.

PSNC made a request for an extension to the transition period as we understand that some suppliers are in the process of making improvements to systems to reduce the risk of errors in applying the correct SSP endorsements. Additionally, a few system suppliers are yet to fully enable and/or deploy the SSP endorsement functionality within their systems and some are in the process of finalising guidance for contractors to utilise the SSP endorsement functionality within systems. The extension to the transition period gives pharmacy contractors more time to adjust to the new SSP endorsement and to ensure pharmacy staff are correctly applying correct endorsements to both electronic and paper prescriptions.

Update 10/08/2021 – The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has provided an update on the Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) for Fluoxetine 10mg tablets (SSP005).

SSP05 for Fluoxetine 10mg tablets was previously expected to expire on 13th August 2021 but the end date has been further extended to Friday 12 November 2021.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has provided an update on the Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) for Fluoxetine 10mg tablets (SSP005).

SSP05 for Fluoxetine 10mg tablets was previously expected to expire on 17th May 2021 but the end date has been further extended to Friday 13 August 2021.

SSP05 – Fluoxetine 10mg tablets

SSP05 provides that 1 x Fluoxetine 10mg capsule may be supplied for every prescribed Fluoxetine 10mg tablet as follows:

For prescriptions (NHS or private) requesting:	Supply permitted under SSP005:	Current expiry date
Fluoxetine 10mg tablets	1 x Fluoxetine 10mg capsule	This SSP has been varied – the revised end date for SSP005 is now Friday 11 February 2022

Please note: expiry dates of an SSP may be brought forward or extended, and the content may be amended at any time during the life of an SSP. Pharmacists should ensure they are using the latest version of an SSP before considering the supply of an alternative product.

Current versions of SSPs can be found at: www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/pharmacies-gp-practices-andappliance-contractors/serious-shortage-protocols-ssps

Also see Live SSPs

Reimbursement and remuneration

Reimbursement is for the medicine supplied in accordance with the SSP and not the originally prescribed medicine. The reimbursement price will account for VAT payment. Supply in accordance with the SSP will result in the following fees being paid to the contractor: