{"id":474709,"date":"2026-06-03T20:46:11","date_gmt":"2026-06-03T20:46:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/474709\/"},"modified":"2026-06-03T20:46:11","modified_gmt":"2026-06-03T20:46:11","slug":"supply-of-unlicensed-propranolol-modified-release-capsules","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/474709\/","title":{"rendered":"Supply of unlicensed Propranolol modified-release capsules"},"content":{"rendered":"

A medicine supply notification (MSN)<\/a> was issued by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) in November 2025 to inform pharmacy teams of a shortage affecting Propranolol 80mg and 160mg modified release capsules. Since the publication of the MSN, the Medicines Supply Tool<\/a> hosted on the Specialist Pharmacy Service (SPS)<\/a> website has been updated with an estimated re-supply date showing as early August 2026.<\/p>\n

Prescribers are advised not to initiate patients on Propranolol 80mg or 160mg modified release capsules due to their unavailability. As an alternative, the MSN recommends prescribers to consider the licensed immediate release Propranolol 40mg and 80mg tablets which remain available and can support an increase in demand.<\/p>\n

Whilst specialist importers can source unlicensed Propranolol 80mg or 160mg modified release capsules, prescribers are advised to consider these only where licensed alternatives are not appropriate. Wholesalers will indicate on their online ordering portals if the product listed is an unlicensed special for example by including \u2018SP\u2018 for Special or \u2018NPL\u2018 for No Product License. The unlicensed Propranolol 80mg or 160mg modified release capsules can only be dispensed against prescriptions requesting the unlicensed import. For example, if the unlicensed product is required, prescribers should select either of the following products on their systems:<\/p>\n

Propranolol 80mg modified-release capsules (Imported); or
\nPropranolol 160mg modified-release capsules (Imported)<\/p>\n

Where the unlicensed product is not shown on electronic prescribing systems (for example, because prescribing system suppliers have not \u2018mapped\u2019 across the appropriate products by using the latest dm+d extract), prescribers should issue a paper prescription and annotate the prescription with the following wording \u2018Special Order\u2019 or \u2018Imported\u2019 next to the prescribed item for example, \u2018Propranolol 160mg modified-release capsules (Special Order)\u2019.<\/p>\n

This will ensure that pharmacy teams can legally supply the unlicensed product and be reimbursed accordingly based on the dispenser endorsements including the \u2018SP\u2019 endorsement to claim the \u00a320 fixed fee for dispensing a non-Drug Tariff special. Paper prescriptions for unlicensed products must be placed in the relevant red separators during end of month submission process.<\/p>\n

Community Pharmacy England is aware of situations where the prescriber includes directions to supply an unlicensed special as part of the dosage area field or as additional information. Any supplementary product information added to electronic prescriptions in this way is not captured by the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) during prescription pricing therefore pharmacy teams should request replacement prescriptions which are correctly written by the prescriber.<\/p>\n

Example EPS prescriptions for unlicensed propranolol modified-release capsules<\/p>\n

Incorrectly issued prescription for\u00a0 Propranolol 80mg modified-release capsules
\nCorrectly issued prescription for Propranolol 80mg modified-release capsules<\/p>\n


\n<\/p>\n

Example paper prescriptions for unlicensed propranolol modified-release capsules<\/p>\n

\u00a0Incorrectly issued prescription for\u00a0 \u00a0Propranolol 80mg modified-release capsules
\nCorrectly issued prescription for Propranolol 80mg modified-release capsules<\/p>\n


\n<\/p>\n

Prescription endorsement requirements for non-Drug Tariff specials<\/p>\n

The following endorsements are required for prescriptions for an unlicensed product (special or import) which is not listed in the Drug Tariff and has been sourced under a manufacturer\u2019s specials\/importer\u2019s licence issued by the MHRA:<\/p>\n

Amount dispensed over pack size used;
\nInvoice price per pack size from which the order was supplied less any discount or rebate;
\nManufacturers\u2019\/importers\u2019 MHRA license number;
\nBatch number of the product supplied;
\nSP \u2014 for costs incurred in obtaining the item<\/p>\n

Related resources<\/p>\n

Dealing with product information within the dose area<\/a><\/p>\n

Funding & Reimbursement Shorts: Handling prescriptions with supplementary product information<\/a><\/p>\n

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