The Department of Health and Social Care has issued a series of out-of-stock medicines alerts to pharmacies.

Six alerts were published on the PSNC website on Friday. The DHSC said Zopiclone 3.75mg tablets are out of stock until mid-February although some brands of zopiclone 7.5mg tablets which “include a break line and can be halved into equal doses” are available.

Estradiol (Estradot) 25microgram/24hours patches and Estradiol (Estradot) 100microgram/24hours patches are out of stock until the week commencing February 13 while Estradiol (Estradot) 50microgram/24hours patches are out of stock until the week commencing February 20.

“An alternative brand of estradiol patches, Evorel, of the same respective strengths remain available and can support a full uplift in demand,” the PSNC said.

Fluoxetine 20mg/5mL oral solution “is in limited supply” until March and Fluoxetine (Olena) 20mg dispersible tablets are out of stock “until further notice,” although Fluoxetine capsules, including 10mg and 20mg, are available.

The PSNC said some specials manufacturers can produce an unlicensed fluoxetine 20mg/5mL oral suspension, including Eaststone, IPS Pharma, Nova Laboratories and Target.

Sulfasalazine (Salazopyrin) 500mg suppositories are out of stock from today until the week commencing March 20. The PSNC said “alternative aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA)-containing suppositories are available and can support the uplift in demand.”

Imiquimod (Bascellex) 50mg/g cream is out of stock until early March and Imiquimod (Aldara) 5% cream is out of stock until mid-March although "limited supplies remain available in NHS Trusts and health boards.”

The PSNC said Imiquimod (Zyclara) 3.75% cream is available “and will be able to partially support an increased demand.” It also said Alium Medical and Mawdsley’s can “source unlicensed Imiquimod 5% Cream.”

The DSHC also announced that Hyoscine hydrobromide (Kwells Kids) 150mcg and (Kwells) 300mcg tablets are out of stock until February 15, although “alternative products remain available for indications covered by hyoscine hydrobromide.”