This circular advises Health Boards and community pharmacy contractors that the four UK-wide Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) for Estradot® (estradiol) transdermal patches, a hormone replacement therapy (HRT) product, due to expire on 2 May 2025 have been extended.  

The extension is applicable to SSP082 (25mcg strength Estradot® patch), SSP079 (50mcg strength Estradot® patch), SSP080 (75mcg strength Estradot® patch) and SSP081 (100mcg strength Estradot® patch), which allow community pharmacists to substitute a prescription of the noted Estradot® (estradiol) transdermal patches with the equivalent strength and same quantity of Evorel® (estradiol) transdermal patch or Estraderm MX® (estradiol) transdermal patch, for eligible patients, in accordance with these SSPs.  

The new end dates for these SSPs are as follows: 

In addition, please note that the UK-wide SSP for cefalexin 125mg/5mL oral suspension sugar free (SSP077) due to expire on 2 May 2025 has also been extended, with the new expired date being the Friday 1 August. This SSP allows pharmacists to substitute the noted cefalexin sugar free product with its non-sugar free equivalent.  

Community pharmacists are advised to review and familiarise themselves with the new end dates for the above noted SSPs.