Epilepsy Today Latest News

What does the Serious Shortage Protocol mean for people with epilepsy?

What is the serious shortage protocol?

The serious shortage protocol (SSP) gives pharmacists additional powers to alter prescriptions in the event of a serious shortage of a particular medicine.

The purpose of this change is to reduce the impact of medicine shortages on patients.

It was bought in by the UK government as a change to the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 and became law in February 2019.

Epilim gastro-resistant tablets stock in the UK

There has been a temporary shortage of Epilim (sodium valproate) gastro-resistant tablets in the UK. Sanofi has told us the 200mg tablets should be back with wholesalers this week. The 500mg tablets are expected to be with wholesalers in the week beginning 25 March 2019. The exact date may vary according to where you live and which wholesalers your pharmacy uses.

Teva oxcarbazepine tablets discontinued in the UK

Teva is discontinuing its version of oxcarbazepine tablets. It has already discontinued the 600mg and 300mg tablets, and will discontinue the 150mg tablets later this year when current stock runs out.

Other manufacturers’ versions of oxcarbazepine tablets are still available. If you have any concerns about taking a different version of oxcarbazepine speak to your GP, epilepsy nurse or epilepsy specialist. 

Changes to prescribing rules around pregabalin and gabapentin following reclassification as controlled medicines from 1 April

Epilepsy medicines pregabalin and gabapentin will be reclassified as controlled medicines under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 from 1 April 2019, NHS England has said.

Trileptal (oxcarbazepine) oral suspension stock in the UK

Trileptal (oxcarbazepine) oral suspension is temporarily out of stock in the UK. Novartis, the company that makes Trileptal, is unable to confirm when it will be back in stock.

Some wholesalers may still have some supplies left. If your pharmacist is unable to get Trileptal oral suspension from their usual wholesaler they can ring Novartis customer services for advice.

Trileptal (oxcarbazepine) oral suspension stock in the UK

Trileptal (oxcarbazepine) oral suspension is temporarily out of stock in the UK. Novartis, the company that makes Trileptal, is unable to confirm when it will be back in stock.

Some wholesalers may still have some supplies left. If your pharmacist is unable to get Trileptal oral suspension from their usual wholesaler they can ring Novartis customer services for advice.

Issues surrounding sodium valproate discussed at House of Lords debate

The UK’s House of Lords held a debate on the safety of medicines and medical devices on 28 February, discussing issues around sodium valproate.

Tegretol prolonged release stock in UK

We have heard that some pharmacists are unable to get hold of Tegretol (carbamazepine) prolonged release 200mg tablets. We’ve checked with Novartis, and these tablets have been out of stock but will be back with wholesalers this week. The 400mg tablets are in stock as normal.

If your pharmacist is having difficulty getting Tegretol prolonged release, they can contact Novartis Customer Services for advice.