Pharmacists are being permitted to give different types of penicillin because of supply shortages prompted by rising demand.
Yesterday the government gave out Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) for three penicillin medicines.
These can be used by pharmacists if they don't happen to have the exact formulation stated on the prescription, Hull Live reports.
By law, pharmacists can only supply what is on the prescription.
However, the addition of SSP allows them to legally give a specified different medicine, removing the need for the patient to return to the prescriber, which is what typically happens.
SSPs are a standard procedure, used often to manage temporary and upcoming medicine supply problems.
They are a safe and effective way to ensure that medicines continue to be available for everyone who needs them.
They also save time for patients, pharmacists and prescribers.
Demand for penicillin has risen recently as it's used to treat Strep A and scarlet fever.
This rising demand meant certain pharmacists were experiencing temporary and localised supply problems.
There are nine other SSPs currently active and have been used to improve patients’ access to Hormone Replacement Therapy drugs and were used extensively during the pandemic.
Will Quince, the Minister of State for Health, explained the reasoning behind the Government issuing SSPs.
He said: "We are taking decisive action to address these temporary issues and improve access to these medicines by continuing to work with manufacturers and wholesalers to speed up deliveries, bring forward stock they have to help ensure it gets to where it's needed, and boost supply to meet demand as quickly as possible."
The SSPS apply to the following medicines:
Phenoxymethylpenicillin 250mg/5ml oral solution sugar-free
Phenoxymethylpenicillin 250mg/5ml oral solution
Phenoxymethylpenicillin 125mg/5ml oral solution sugar-free
The three versions of penicillin are liquid, sugar-free liquid, and tablet, so if pharmacists do not have the correct formulation in stock, then they are allowed to use an alternative.
The Chief Pharmacist provided guidance to the profession last week, emphasising the importance of prescribers and local pharmacy teams working together to understand availability of antibiotics locally and ordering antibiotics sensibly, so not to put the supply chain under pressure.
