The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has issued a medicine supply notification for various preparations of Co-trimoxazole, a combination antibiotic used to treat various bacterial infections.
A Tier 2 (medium impact) notification has been issued for Co-trimoxazole 40mg/200mg/5ml oral suspension sugar free and Co-trimoxazole 80mg/400mg/5ml oral suspension.
While Co-trimoxazole 80mg/400mg/5ml oral suspension is currently out of stock and a resupply date has not been confirmed, Co-trimoxazole 40mg/200mg/5ml oral suspension sugar-free will be out of stock from mid-March until June 2026.
However, Co-trimoxazole 80mg/400mg and 160mg/800mg tablets remain available and can support increased demand.
Unlicensed supplies of co-trimoxazole oral suspension may be sourced through some specialist importers.
The DHSC has sent a copy of this medicine supply notification, including supporting information, to all pharmacy NHS email addresses.
It had earlier issued a medicine supply notification for co-codamol 30mg/500mg tablets and aspirin following a disruption in the supply chain.
Many pharmacies are rationing the sale of low-dose aspirin, a vital medicine for heart and kidney patients.
