This Circular advises Health Boards and community pharmacy contractors that two UK-wide Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) for Estradot® (estradiol) transdermal patches, a hormone replacement therapy (HRT) product, due to expire on 23 May 2025 have been extended until Friday 6 June 2025. The extension is applicable to 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 current end dates of all Estradot® (estradiol) transdermal patches SSPs are as follows: 

In addition, please note that the two UK-wide SSPs for Creon® gastro-resistant capsules both due to expire also on 23 May 2025 have been extended until Friday 21 November 2025. The extension is applicable to SSP060 (Creon® 10000 ) and SSP061(Creon® 25000), which allow community pharmacists to restrict the total quantity supplied under the noted SSPs to one months’ supply of the prescribed medicine. Community pharmacists are advised to review and familiarise themselves with the new end dates for the above noted SSPs.