Quetiapine modified-release tablets supply notification updated
13 August 2026
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) updated its Medicine Supply Notification for quetiapine 50mg, 150mg, 200mg, 300mg and 400mg modified-release tablets on 13 August 2026. The notification, reference MSN/2025/006, was first issued on 10 February 2025 and is classed as Tier 2, medium impact. The update revises the supply summary for Seroquel XL.
What the notification says
Community Pharmacy England (CPE) reports that DHSC has recorded supply constraints for these strengths. The page gives no anticipated resupply date. It points readers to the SPS Medicines Supply Tool, which carries any changes to resupply dates and updates to its entries. Access to the tool needs an NHS email address.
The notification advises that quetiapine immediate-release tablets remain available and can support increased demand. Where those are not suitable, it says unlicensed quetiapine modified-release tablets may be sourced from specialist importers, with lead times that vary. It names three such companies and says others may also supply.
On prescriptions for unlicensed products, the notification advises that where there is no dm+d listing an EPS prescription cannot be issued, so an FP10 paper prescription is needed, marked as a special, and endorsed by the pharmacy as a non-Part VIII special. It also asks pharmacies to report any new shortage not listed on the SPS website through the CPE shortage reporting tool.
A long-running entry
The reference number carries 2025 because the notification has been live since February 2025. Eighteen months on it is still being revised, and this update changes the supply summary for the branded product, Seroquel XL. Long-running entries are the easiest to stop checking, which is when an update slips past. Five strengths sit under one reference, so a single query at the dispensary can involve more than one line.
The CPE page sets no end date for the constraint, so the Medicines Supply Tool entry is the one to watch for current dates.
The full notification is on the CPE page for the quetiapine modified-release tablets notification.