Antibiotics shortage update and new guidance for health professionals

We are aware of current shortages of some antibiotics in Australia.

The information we published about these shortages has been updated with new details about affected products and a link to an additional resource for health professionals produced by Therapeutic Guidelines.

The amoxicillin shortage has largely been resolved and as a result we have allowed that product’s Serious Scarcity Substitution Instrument (SSSI) to lapse.

An SSSI allows pharmacists to dispense another dosage form or strength of the same antibiotic to a patient, without prior approval from the prescriber. For more information about SSSIs see Substituting scarce medicines and Serious Scarcity Substitution Instruments (SSSIs).

We continue to monitor antibiotic medicines in shortage and are seeking and prioritising applications for overseas alternatives to assist with supply.

You can read about medicine shortages on our shortages page.