Guidance

Endorsing correctly for Serious Shortage Protocols

Endorsing correctly for Serious Shortage Protocols

Endorsing correctly for Serious Shortage Protocols 

Dispensing practices are being encouraged make sure they are correctly using the new endorsement Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) to avoid invalid claims.

In February 2019, the government amended the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 to introduce SSPs. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) can issue an SSP if they decide there is a serious shortage of a specific medicine or appliance. In line with the changes, the NHSBSA introduced a new SSP endorsement, to replace the No Cheaper Stock Obtainable (NCSO) endorsement.

How to claim for an SSP:

When claiming for an SSP product on a non-electronic prescription:

• endorse SSP and the 3-digit reference number

• endorse the SSP product dispensed including strength, pharmaceutical form, and quantity

You can still use the ‘NCSO’ endorsement option if SSP endorsement functionality is not yet available on your dispensing system. However, NHSBA will be unable to accept NCSO endorsements from October 2021.

 

Further guidance is available at  Serious shortage protocols (SSPs) | NHSBSA

First Published
6 August 2021
Updated On
15 August 2023
Due to be Reviewed
28 August 2025
Not signed in.

Please Login or Register an account to access the ability to favourite this.
Share this article

You might also find this useful...

NHS 10-Year Plan
NHS 10-Year Plan
18 July 2025
The NHS 10-year plan was published last week. This plan will likely land well with the public promising same day access, genomic profiling and a single patient record while also…
Cont. Reading
GP Patient Survey – 2025
GP Patient Survey – 2025
20 July 2025
The 2025 GP Patient Survey results, which includes information on patient experience of general practice has been published today. The results of the survey show improvements in patients’ experience of…
Cont. Reading
GP Premises Survey 2025
GP Premises Survey 2025
21 July 2025
Last month we launched the GP Premises Survey 2025.  We’re calling on all practice managers and partners across England to take part. Please help us advocate for better premises and…
Cont. Reading