In response to a significant ongoing disruption to the supply of Lansoprazole 15mg orodispersible tablets and Lansoprazole 30mg orodispersible tablets, two Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) have been issued by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).<\/p>\n
Effective today 09 September 2026, \u00a0SSP088<\/a> and SSP089<\/a> provides that where supplies are available, but the prescription is for more than one month\u2019s supply\u00a0the total quantity supplied under this protocol is to be equivalent to one months\u2019 supply\u00a0of Lansoprazole 15mg orodispersible tablets and Lansoprazole 30mg orodispersible tablets respectively.\u00a0<\/p>\n SSP088 and SSP089<\/a>, authorised by the Secretary of State, have been developed by clinicians and provide pharmacists with procedures to follow in providing a suitable alternative product to help reduce the number of patients having to return to their prescriber for a replacement prescription.<\/p>\n These SSPs may be amended or revoked at any time, but currently expire on Friday 15 January 2027 \u2013 we will update pharmacy owners on any changes.<\/p>\n Key points relating to SSP088 & SSP089<\/p>\n This protocol provides for a reduced quantity of Lansoprazole 15mg orodispersible tablets and Lansoprazole 30mg orodispersible tablets\u00a0to be supplied for less than the number of days prescribed on original prescription. Pharmacy owners will receive an email to their shared NHSmail account informing them of this SSP and pharmacy teams are advised to\u00a0read the documentation for SSP088 & SS089 in full and to implement the protocol with immediate effect. Pharmacists are required to read and comply with the requirements outlined within the individual SSP as published on the NHSBSA website for SSP088 Lansoprazole 15mg orodispersible tablets and SSP089 Lansoprazole 30mg orodispersible tablets<\/a>.<\/p>\n Reimbursement<\/p>\n Reimbursement is for the medicine supplied in accordance with the SSP and not the quantity of originally prescribed medicine i.e. in this instance pharmacy owners will be reimbursed the reimbursement price for the quantity of Lansoprazole 15mg orodispersible tablets or Lansoprazole 30mg orodispersible tablets\u00a0dispensed. Supply in accordance with the SSP will result in the following fees being paid to the pharmacy owner and products supplied in accordance with an SSP is to be considered VAT zero-rated:<\/p>\n One Single Activity fee (currently \u00a31.52) Endorsing SSP claims correctly<\/p>\n Community Pharmacy England previously\u00a0reported that the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) received a number of EPS SSP claims which did not meet the requirements for a valid SSP claim. A large number SSP claims continue to be deemed invalid by the NHSBSA due to incorrect endorsements applied by PMR systems and\/or pharmacy staff. We recommend pharmacy owners to regularly reconcile the value of SSP fees on their payment schedules against the number of SSPs declared on the FP34C submission form. Please refer to our guidance on reconciliation of SSP claims<\/a>.<\/p>\n If there is\u00a0a payment discrepancy and it is believed that the\u00a0correct SSP endorsing guidance was followed, pharmacy owners may consider requesting a\u00a0re-check\u00a0<\/a>of relevant prescriptions and the NHSBSA will be able to explain why the claim was unpaid or rectify the payments.<\/p>\n Pharmacy teams are reminded to follow the SSP-specific\u00a0guidance to ensure endorsements are applied correctly, and we also have guidance supporting teams raising\u00a0PMR-specific claiming issues<\/a>\u00a0with their suppliers.\u00a0<\/p>\n Support in implementing the SSP<\/p>\n The following resources have been developed to support pharmacy teams in using these protocols.<\/p>\n Current versions of SSPs<\/a><\/p>\n Serious Shortage Protocols Operational Guidance<\/a><\/p>\n Serious Shortage Protocols Questions & Answers<\/a><\/p>\n Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) Endorsing Factsheet<\/a><\/p>\n Briefing 023\/19: Serious Shortage Protocols \u2013 A guide for community pharmacy teams<\/a><\/p>\n Background information on SSPs<\/p>\n Further information on what SSPs are and when they may be used is available via the links below.<\/p>\n Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) on-demand webinar<\/a><\/p>\n
\nFor supply in accordance with SSP088 and\/or SSP089, no prescription charges will be applicable for Lansoprazole 15mg orodispersible tablets and Lansoprazole 30mg orodispersible tablets.
\nFor patients that PAY for their prescriptions, the pharmacist should mark on the prescription that a charge has been paid, however NO charge should be taken.\u00a0
\nWhen declaring prescription totals at the end of the month, pharmacists should declare these prescriptions as paid. The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) will amend total monthly figures to account for prescriptions covered by SSP088 and SSP089. In order for the NHSBSA to appropriately amend the total monthly figures it is critical that the prescription is correctly endorsed with the SSP number e.g. SSP088 or SSP089.
\nThe supervising pharmacist should ensure that the patient\u2019s prescriber is notified when supplying a patient in accordance with this SSP.
\nFor endorsing requirements, please refer to NHSBSA\u2019s supporting guidance for SSP088<\/a>and SSP089<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\nOne SSP fee (\u00a35.35)<\/p>\n