Strep A antibiotics shortage prompts emergency drugs switch for pharmacists

Pharmacists granted powers to supply alternative penicillin

Fears over a shortage of antibiotics amid a rise in Strep A cases across the UK has lead to an emergency rule change to allow pharmacists to supply alternative penicillin to treat Strep A.

The government announced on Thursday afternoon it had issued Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) across the UK for three penicillin medicines due to high demand.

The Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) hopes the SSPs will help mitigate local supply issues of oral penicillin and allow pharmacists to supply alternative forms of the medicine if they don’t have the specific formulation stated on the prescription.