PCA(P)(2026)12 - Extension to Creon® 10000 Serious Shortage Protocol

Published: 10th August 2026

Introduction

The Scottish Government has advised that the UK-wide Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) for Creon® 10000 gastro-resistant capsules has been extended until 2 October 2026. Community pharmacists should review the updated end dates for SSP060 and SSP061 and continue to follow the current arrangements.

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Purpose

This Circular advises Health Boards and community pharmacy contractors that a UK-wide Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) for Creon® gastro-resistant capsules due to expire on 7 August 2026 has been extended.

The extension applies to SSP060 (Creon® 10000), which remains in place until Friday 2 October 2026. All other terms of the SSP remain unchanged. Please note that, as previously communicated, the other UK-wide SSP for Creon® gastro-resistant capsules, SSP061 (Creon® 25000), will also remain in place in until Friday 2 October 2026. Under both SSPs, community pharmacists may continue to restrict the quantity supplied to one month's supply of the prescribed medicine.

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

Background

To assist in alleviating current supply issues with medicines availability, various UK-wide SSPs have been issued by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), in consultation with the Scottish Government. An SSP is an additional tool to manage and mitigate medication shortages for prescribing clinicians, community pharmacies and importantly patients.

Each SSP is individually developed and authorised clinically, to enable community pharmacists and dispensing doctors to dispense a different strength or formulation or alternative medicine or appliances in accordance with the protocol, rather than having to refer prescribing decisions back to the original prescriber. These protocols are time limited.

Community pharmacists are expected to use their professional skill and judgement to decide whether it is reasonable and appropriate to substitute a person's prescribed medicine using the SSP. The person will also have to agree to the alternative supply.

The DHSC frequently reviews which medicines should be under an SSP and for how long they need to be in place.

Any amendments or extensions to existing SSPs are documented on the NHS Business Services Authority website using the following link: Serious shortage protocols (SSPs) | NHSBSA.

Enquiries

For any queries on the details of this circular, please contact the Scottish Government Pharmacy Team at PharmacyTeam@gov.scot.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• When does the Serious Shortage Protocol for Creon® 10000 end?

  The extension applies to SSP060 (Creon® 10000), which remains in place until Friday, 2nd October 2026.

  Source: Scottish Government (Circular PCA(P)(2026)12)

• Does the SSP for Creon® 25000 also continue until October 2026?

  Yes. SSP061 (Creon® 25000) will also remain in place until Friday, 2nd October 2026.

  Source: Scottish Government (Circular PCA(P)(2026)12)

• Can community pharmacists continue to limit the quantity supplied under the SSPs?

  Yes. Under both SSPs, community pharmacists may continue to restrict the quantity supplied to one month's supply of the prescribed medicine.

  Source: Scottish Government (Circular PCA(P)(2026)12)

• What should community pharmacists do following this SSP extension?

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

  Source: Scottish Government (Circular PCA(P)(2026)12)