The Department of Health and Social Care (DH) has confirmed in an update to pharmacy teams that there is sufficient stock of Fluoxetine 40mg capsules to meet normal demand.
With the latest announcement, Serious Shortage Protocol – SSP009 – issued for Fluoxetine 40mg capsules expired as of Monday (May 17).
Now, any prescriptions for Fluoxetine 40mg capsules must be dispensed in accordance with the prescription as the SSP009 will no longer be valid for use.
Pharmacy teams have been advised to submit their SSP claims using the EPS token if dispensing systems do not support all the endorsement requirements to submit a valid claim. “If using an EPS token to submit SSP claims, remember to mark the corresponding EPS message as ‘Not Dispensed’ or ’ND’, to avoid double-claiming,” the DH said.
“Where available, use the claim amend facility on the PMR system to rectify any incorrect EPS claims already submitted this month,” it added.
Any paper prescriptions or EPS tokens with SSP claims need to be placed in the red separator provided by the NHSBSA.
For any supplies made in accordance with SSPs, contractors should check the fact that the correct number of patient charges are collected and declared on the end of month FP34C submission document.
Although an SSP cannot be used outside its period of validity, claims can be submitted up to three calendar months after expiry or withdrawal of the SSP.
“NHSBSA advises that contractors must follow the specific endorsement guidance issued with each SSP and endorsements should be clear and unambiguous – NHSBSA processing staff must be able to determine what has been supplied,” the DH said.
Pharmacy contractors should keep a record of all SSP claims submitted each month to reconcile against their monthly Schedule of Payments or Prescription Item (Px) reports, the DH noted.
