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Serious Shortage Protocol for haloperidol (Serenace®) 500 microgram (mcg) capsules

As part of managing shortages for haloperidol (Serenace®), the government has agreed a serious shortage protocol (SSP) for haloperidol (Serenace®) 500 microgram (mcg) capsules.

As part of managing shortages for haloperidol (Serenace®), the government has agreed a serious shortage protocol (SSP) for haloperidol (Serenace®) 500 microgram (mcg) capsules.

The SSP will enable community pharmacists in England and Wales to supply patients with haloperidol 500 microgram (mcg) tablet, where the generic haloperidol 500 microgram (mcg) capsules or the branded Serenace 500 microgram (mcg) capsules have been prescribed.

This SSP and supporting guidance is now published on the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) website.

The SSP is currently due to expire on 23 March 2020. Should this change, the SSP will be updated accordingly and published on this page.

If the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) decide there is a serious shortage of a specific medicine or appliance, then an SSP may be issued.

The contractor must use their professional skill and judgement to decide, alongside medical experts, whether it's reasonable and appropriate to substitute the patient's prescribed order for the active SSP. The patient would also have to agree to the alternative supply for that dispensing month.

Updated supporting guidance for these protocols will continue to be published online via the NHSBSA website.

Contact Information

Kate Blush

Senior Media and Campaigns Officer

NHS Business Services Authority

communicationsteam@nhsbsa.nhs.uk

Notes to editors

About the NHS Business Services Authority

The NHS Business Services Authority is a Special Health Authority and an Arm’s Length Body of the Department of Health and Social Care which provides a range of critical central services to NHS organisations, NHS contractors, patients and the public. Its purpose is to be a catalyst for better health and its vision is to be the delivery partner of choice for the NHS. For more information about the NHSBSA, please visit www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk