Normacol and Normacol Plus granules will remain out of stock until September 13, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has said in a supply disruption notice.
Sterculia (Normacol) 62 per cent w/w granules, Sterculia & Frangula Bark (Normacol Plus) 62 per cent/8 per cent w/w granules will face supply disruption until new stock reaches the market.
Unlicensed imports of Sterculia 62 per cent w/w granules and Sterculia 62 per cent w/w with Frangula Bark 8 per cent w/w can be sourced.
UKMI have provided clinical advice on switching to alternative preparations.
The following specialist importers have confirmed they can source unlicensed sterculia granules and sterculia granules, frangula bark granules.
| Importer | Product | Container |
| Alium Medical | Normacol | Sachets |
| Durbin PLC | Sterculia granules (Normafibre brand) | Lined box |
| Sterculia granules (Normafibre brand) | Sachet | |
| Sterculia granules/Frangula bark (Generic) | Lined box | |
| Target Healthcare | Normacol Plus | Lined box |
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 Sterculia granules cannot be issued.
If a prescriber wishes to prescribe an unlicensed import, an FP10 paper prescription should be issued as Normacol/ Normacol Plus/ Normafibre or Sterculia granules/Frangula Bark (special order)‘ and endorsed by the pharmacy as a non-part VIIIB special.
Sukhi Basra