Medicine Shortages Guidance
Medicine shortages are an increasingly common occurrence. This webpage is intended to direct the pharmacy team to information resources that will help guide you through the possible course of action.
Community Pharmacy Scotland shortages information can be found at:
The Background to Shortages | Community Pharmacy Scotland (cps.scot)
This includes links to:
- Medicines Shortages Guidance
- Scotland’s agreed shortages process flow chart
- Shortages guidance flow chart
- Reporting a shortage
The NHS Borders community pharmacy alternative medicine request form outlines the process to be followed to source an alternative supply. Use this form to contact the GP practice to request an alternative medicine AFTER you have checked that:
- A supply is NOT available from the all the wholesalers the pharmacy uses
- Local pharmacies do not have stock of the medicine
- The procedures outlined in the Medicine Shortages Guidance are NOT appropriate
- Using the Community Pharmacy Urgent Supply PGD is NOT the appropriate course of action
Where all attempts to obtain the medicine or alternative medicines have been made, a request for supply from the pharmacy department of the Borders General Hospital can be made, as a supplier of last resort.
Requests for supply can be made by contacting the Primary Care Team at: communitypharmacy.team@borders.scot.nhs.uk. The Team will discuss the issue and, if appropriate, will send you a BGH stock order form to complete and assist supply on receipt of the signed BGH stock order form.
Useful links
Shortage of GLP1 agonist medication - Information for people with Type 2 diabetes