Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

DH issues supply disruption notice for six oral contraceptive brands

The Department of Health and Social Care (DH) has issued a medicine supply notification for six oral contraceptive tablets of various brands.

The following oral contraceptive preparations are currently out of stock.


Product affectedIngredientsAnticipated Resupply DateManagement Advice
BrevinorEthinylestradiol/norethisterone 35microgram/500 microgram tabletsEarly January 2021No exact equivalent available
EloineEthinylestradiol/ drospirenone

20 microgram /3mg tablet

October 2020Unlicensed imports of Eloine have been sourced, lead times vary
NoriminEthinylestradiol/norethisterone 35microgram/1mg tabletsEarly January 2021No exact equivalent available
SynphaseEthinylestradiol/norethisterone/ 35microgram/500microgram and

35microgram/1mg tablets

Early January 2021Unlicensed imports of Synphase tablets have been sourced; lead times vary.
YiznellEthinylestradiol/drospirenone 30microgram/3mg tabletsNovember 2020Equivalent alternatives with same composition remain available from suppliers of following brands: Dretine, Yacella, Yasmin, Ellaite and Lucette.
ZoelyEstradiol/nomegestrol 1.5mg/2.5mg tabletsMid October 2020No exact equivalent available

The importers including Clinigen, Mawdsley’s Unlicensed, and Target Healthcare have confirmed that they can source unlicensed imports of Synphase tablets.

Community pharmacists can reach Alium, Mawdsley’s Unlicensed, Target Healthcare, and Durbin for unlicensed imports of Eloine tablets.

There is currently no listing on dm+d for the imported product for prescribers to select using their prescribing systems so an EPS prescription for unlicensed Synphase tablets cannot be issued.

If a prescriber wishes to prescribe an unlicensed import, an FP10 paper prescription should be issued as ‘Ethinylestradiol/norethisterone/ 35microgram/500microgram and 35microgram/1mg tablets (Special Order)‘ and endorsed by the pharmacy as a non-Part VIIIB special.

More For You

GP surgery upgrades for annual appointments

The surgeries will have additional space to “see more patients, boost productivity and improve patient care”

Pic credit: iStock

GP surgery upgrades to create 8.3 million more annual appointments

Over 1,000 GP surgeries will have their premises modernised to meet the needs of a further 8.3 million appointments each year, the government has announced.

Backed by a cash injection of over £102 million, the surgeries will have additional space to “see more patients, boost productivity and improve patient care”.

Keep ReadingShow less
Wales boosts funding for pharmacy-led UTI and sore throat test services

The sore throat test (STTT) and treat service will be widely available

Pic credit: istock

Welsh pharmacies receive funding boost for clinical services

Two key clinical services will be available in 99 per cent of community pharmacies across Wales after a boost in funding.

The sore throat test (STTT) and treat service and the urinary tract infection (UTI) service have both benefitted from contractual negotiations between the Welsh Government and Community Pharmacy Wales (CPW).

Keep ReadingShow less
Paul Bennett
Paul Bennett, CEO, Royal Pharmaceutical Society
Paul Bennett, CEO, Royal Pharmaceutical Society

Pharmacists need to take advantage of independent prescribing pathways, says Bennett

Independent prescribing will be a “significant point” in the history of community pharmacy, according to Royal Pharmaceutical Society chief executive Paul Bennett.

Last month, the RPS announced the launch of a comprehensive new prescribing development programme to support pharmacists across all stages of their prescribing careers.

Keep ReadingShow less
Community Pharmacy Scotland secures £10m reimbursement uplift amid ongoing negotiations

Negotiations continue on the Global Sum element of remuneration.

Getty Images

Community Pharmacy Scotland secures £120m reimbursement deal for 2025/26

Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS) has accepted the Scottish government’s initial financial offer for the 2025/26 fiscal year, securing a guaranteed minimum reimbursement of £120 million for community pharmacies — up from £110 million from 2024/25.

The agreement marks the first phase of ongoing negotiations surrounding community pharmacy funding for the upcoming financial year.

Keep ReadingShow less