Serious Shortage Protocols for quetiapine
We are writing to inform you that Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) have been issued today for quetiapine 150mg, 200mg and 300mg tablets.
The SSPs will allow pharmacists to substitute alternate strengths of quetiapine and will also restrict the amount of quetiapine that can be provided to patients to one-month’s supply. Under SSP regulations, patients who receive less medicine when supplied in accordance with these SSPs will not have to pay prescription charges. The SSPs are listed in the table below.
| SSP | Type | Alternatives |
| SSP062 – Quetiapine 150mg tablets | Substitution | 1x100mg and 1 x 50mg 3 x 50mg 2 x 50mg and 2 x 25mg |
| SSP063 – Quetiapine 150mg tablets | Restriction to one month’s supply | N/A |
| SSP064 – Quetiapine 150mg tablets | Substitution and restriction to one month’s supply | 1x100mg and 1 x 50mg 3 x 50mg 2 x 50mg and 2 x 25mg |
| SSP065 – Quetiapine 200mg tablets | Substitution | 2 x 100mg 1 x 100mg and 2 x 50mg 4 x 50mg |
| SSP066 – Quetiapine 200mg tablets | Restriction to one month’s supply | N/A |
| SSP067 – Quetiapine 200mg tablets | Substitution and restriction to one month’s supply | 2 x 100mg 1 x 100mg and 2 x 50mg 4 x 50mg |
| SSP068 – Quetiapine 300mg tablets | Substitution | 3 x 100mg 2 x 100mg and 2 x 50mg |
| SSP069 – Quetiapine 300mg tablets | Restriction to one month’s supply | N/A |
| SSP070 – Quetiapine 300mg tablets | Substitution and restriction to one month’s supply | 3 x 100mg 2 x 100mg and 2 x 50mg |
The SSPs came into effect today, 16 July, and is scheduled to end on Friday 13 September 2024.
The SSPs are now available to view onthe NHS Business Service Authority (BSA)’s dedicated SSP web page along with supporting endorsement guidance.
If you have any questions regarding the SSPs please contact the NHS Prescription Service:
Email:nhsbsa.prescriptionservices@nhsbsa.nhs.uk
Telephone: 0300 330 1349
Textphone: 18001 0300 330 1349
To access the latest information about SSPs (including supporting guidance), please visit the following link – https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/pharmacies-gp-practices-and-appliance-contractors/serious-shortage-protocols-ssps.”