This Circular informs Health Boards and community pharmacy contractors that four UK‑wide Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) for Estradot® (estradiol) transdermal patches, a hormone replacement therapy (HRT) product, which were due to expire on 30 January 2026, have been extended until Friday 17 April 2026. In addition, the UK‑wide Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) for Creon® 10000 gastro‑resistant capsules, also due to expire on 30 January 2026, has been extended until Friday 17 April 2026. The extension for Estradot® patches applies to SSP079 (Estradot® 50 mcg patch), SSP080 (Estradot® 75 mcg patch), SSP081 (Estradot® 100 mcg patch), and SSP082 (Estradot® 25 mcg patch). These protocols allow community pharmacists to substitute prescriptions for the specified Estradot® (estradiol) transdermal patches with the equivalent strength and the same quantity of Evorel® (estradiol) or Estraderm MX® (estradiol) transdermal patches, for eligible patients, in accordance with the requirements of each SSP. The extension for Creon® capsules applies to SSP060 (Creon® 10000 gastro‑resistant capsules), which allows community pharmacists to restrict the total quantity supplied under the noted SSP to one months’ supply of the prescribed medicine. All other terms of these five SSPs remain unchanged. Community pharmacists are advised to review and familiarise themselves with the new end date for the SSPs noted above.