| answer text |
<p>While Serious Shortage Protocols (SSP) in England have the scope to cover all medicines
and appliances that are on a National Health Service prescription in primary care,
including anti-epileptic drugs, it is clear that an SSP for therapeutic or generic
equivalents will not necessarily be suitable for all medicines and patients. For example,
where medicines need to be prescribed by brand for clinical reasons, which is the
case for epilepsy medication.</p><p>Any protocol would only be introduced if clinicians
with expertise in the relevant area think it is appropriate. Pharmacists will have
to use their professional judgment as to whether supplying against the protocol rather
than the prescription is appropriate or the patient should be referred to their prescriber.</p><p>The
legislation enabling Ministers to issue SSPs was not introduced as a European Union
exit measure alone but as a business-as-usual measure that can be used before and
after our exit from the EU.</p>
|
 |
